Miss Lake Festival 2010 Farewell

Below is Miss Lake Festival 2010, Devon Stansbury's lovely farewell letter.  I am honored that my parents and I were listed, but my favorite line is that her mom's boyfriend's RV has been turned into "the pageant mobile!' 

I believe that everything happens for a reason in life and that God’s timing is everything. This year, it was my time to be your Miss Lake Festival and this journey that I embarked on a year ago today could not have been any more amazing. Perhaps the greatest factor that made this experience so wonderful for me was the people were on this journey with me. I would like to thank those of you who were there every step of the way. Melissa, I met you in 2008 when I did my first pageant, which was Miss Lake Festival. While I was very pleased with being 2^nd runner up that year, I cannot express to you how happy it made me to come back two years later and be crowned Miss Lake Festival 2010. Thank you so much for having this program that offers so many opportunities, experiences, and scholarship money. It’s a wonderful program that helps young women grow in one way or another. Thank you for believing in me and giving me the encouragement along the way.

To the lake festival committee, this program really would not be possible without each and every one of you. It has been such a pleasure to work with all of you over the past year and I cannot thank you enough for all that you did for me during Lake Fest week, and for the continued support you gave to me throughout the year.

A special thank you to Dan Dailey and Aaron’s Rentals, for sponsoring me to be in the Miss Lake Festival Pageant. Without you, I would not have been able to participate in this program. Thank you so much for your support and for allowing me to have this amazing opportunity.

To Abby, Tim, and Vicki Bollenbacher, you three have been with me from the beginning when I was first interested in doing a pageant. From letting me borrow swimsuits, to traveling to almost all of my prelims and to Miss Ohio both years, you have been so supportive, encouraging, and helpful. Thank you so much for having faith in me and treating me like another pageant daughter.

Lisa, Michelle, and Ashley, you are my best friends and have been there for me through everything in life, and you were no different when it came to me competing in pageants. You came to every one I participated in, along with events surrounding the pageants. Lisa, a.k.a “Coach” you have given me the confidence that I needed to be the best that I can be. Thanks for telling me the truth even when it wasn’t always what I wanted to hear, critiquing my dance routines, and making me run miles with you in the snow. You push me to be the best that I can be, and I truly feel that I am the best me. I cannot thank you enough for all that you and your family have done for me. I hope I’ve been you proud and I love you MOST.

Whether the pageant was15 minutes or 2 hours away you always came to support and to be there for me. Not only were you just in attendance at pageants, but parades, festivals, celebrity waitressing, and any other event that I made an appearance too. You always say that you look up to me, but I look to you for advice, suggestions, support, and inspiration. Thank you for being there for me through everything, I love you.

Ashley, not only have you given me wonderful support, but have given me wonderful photos to persever these memories. Thank you so much for taking such beautiful photos of me for headshots, signs, buttons, advertisements, and autograph pads. It’s awesome to be working with such a talented photographer and graphic designer who is also my best friend. Love you big sis.

To my mentors Susie, Deb, Shelby, and Libby from my trip to Miss Ohio last year, your job didn’t stop there, you have continued to support me and follow me on my journey back to Miss Ohio. We have formed a bond that goes much deeper then the scholarship program, but is a relationship that we will always have. I love you all and will always be your “DiVine Devon.”  Thank you for everything.

To Miss Ohio 2010, Becky Minger, thank you for all of you advice, tips, and help you’ve given me this past year. I’ve gotten so close to you and am so thankful for our friendship. You are such a fabulous and beautiful woman and I look to you as a role model and a sisters. Love you!

To my Pi Beta Phi sisters, thanks for making me always feel like  a Miss America and I hope that I make all of you and our organization proud. Pi Phi Love.

To the people that make all of this as fabulous as it is: my hometown community, friends, and family. I can’t express how much better this experience has been because I have had your support, love, and kind wishes. Since moving to Cincinnati 3 years ago, I didn’t realize how lucky I was to come from such a wonderful community, where people care about me and all that I do. I am forever grateful for all of you and all of the kindness you have shown me. I did my best, and will continue to do the best that I can to represent our community to make a difference in each of your lives.

My most important thank you goes to the most influential person in my life. Mom you have been there for me through everything. You’ve shown me an endless amount of love, support, encouragement, and discipline that has shaped me into the person I am today. Without you, I would not be who I am nor would I be as successful as I am. Thank you for putting up with me when I know I wasn’t the most pleasant to be around, but always know how appreciative I am of you and everything that you do for me. I’m so fortunate as you have given me the world and at the same time, have shown me how to be selfless and humble. In my eyes you are the most amazing, classy, beautiful, hardworking, and incredible person I have ever known. I hope I make you proud and I also aspire to one day be as wonderful of a person as you are inside and out. Thank you so much, I love you.

Mark, I know when you began dating mom your RV was used for traveling to Nascar races. Well now I have officially made it into the pageant mobile. You do so much for me and I can’t thank you enough. I hope that I have enhanced your life just as much as you have mine. Thank you for everything, I love you.

I give my final thanks to God, as none of this would be possible without him. He has blessed me with this amazing opportunity among many others. Although life isn’t always what I want it to be, everything happens for a reason and I’m grateful to him that I can grow as a person from some events and rejoice in his name in others. I know that through you, all things are possible, and never would you give me something that I couldn’t handle. Thank you for letting this be my time. 

Miss America 2011: Preliminary Winners!

This year at Miss America, there were no double preliminary winners and I have a feeling not all six of these ladies will be making the cut to the Top 15! Not surprisingly, all of the winners came from the later half of their groups. Take a look at all their phases of competition and tell me what you think! *Note, a few gown and talent photos came from rehearsals.

SWIMSUIT WINNERS!

Miss Hawaii

Jalee Fuselier

11th of 18 in Sigma group

Watch her talent rehearsal HERE!

Miss Alabama

Ashley Davis

15th of 17 in the Mu group

Watch her talent performance at 17:30 HERE!

Miss Oklahoma

Emoly West

12th of 18 in Alpha group

Watch her talent performance at 27:45 HERE!

TALENT WINNERS!

I love that the judges selected three different types of talents this year.

Miss North Carolina

Adrienne Core

17th of 18 in the Alpha group

Watch her talent rehearsal HERE!

Still looking for a better gown photo and a swimsuit photo! Message me a link!

Miss Rhode Island

Deborah Saint-Vil

12th of 18 in the Sigma group

Watch her talent rehearsal HERE!

Miss Nebraska

Teresa Scanlan

10th of 19 in the Mu group

Watch her performance at the 6 minute mark HERE!

Pageant Press: Miss Ohio pageant not coming to Zanesville

Miss Ohio pageant not coming to Zanesville

Kathy Thompson / Zanesville Times Recorder

November 12, 2010

ZANESVILLE -- Zanesville Mayor Butch Zwelling was visibly upset when he announced the Miss Ohio Scholarship Program will remain in Mansfield.

"I've worked on getting the pageant here for three years," Zwelling said Thursday. "I don't think I'll do it again unless there's a strong indication they would come."

Zwelling said he gave pageant board members a verbal commitment of three years and offered them almost $400,000 in hopes of luring them to Zanesville.

"$81,000 of that was in-kind money and the rest was cash from about 30 businesses in the community," Zwelling said. "They would have filled up our motels and restaurants and brought in millions of dollars to the community."

Zwelling said the in-kind money would have been for items such as a $5,000 break on renting Secrest Auditorium, which usually is rented for $10,000, and for at least $5,000 in security provided by the Zanesville Police Department.

While Lee Tasseff, director of the Mansfield-Richland County Convention and Visitors Bureau, said there was no written contract presented by Zwelling and that Zwelling had never taken the proposal to Zanesville City Council for approval, Zwelling said he didn't need to get council approval for his proposals.

"I don't need council approval to give someone a break on renting the auditorium," Zwelling said.

The pageant has been hosted in Mansfield for the past 36 years. Zwelling said he knew there was a strong pull for the pageant to stay in Mansfield, but he was hoping he could have swayed the board members into trying a new location.

Kim Kanary, program spokesperson for the pageant issued a press release stating "that remaining in Mansfield would be in the best interest of the program at this time."

Miss Ohio board members could not be reached for comment.

Mansfield community leaders met with the Miss Ohio Scholarship Board of Directors on Wednesday night and went through the board's wish list point by point, Lee Tasseff said.

"We said they were all doable. We did ask them, if they're sticking around, we intend it to be a partnership. They have to commit to helping us and we'll commit to helping them," Tasseff said.

Mansfield's lodging tax contributes $10,000 annually to the Miss Ohio Scholarship Program.

Zwelling was hoping that type of money would be coming from Zanesville in June 2011.

"It would have been a shot in the arm for Zanesville," Zwelling said. "There are 28 contestants and you think that when they came, they would bring families and friends. I had a motel offer to give them 16 rooms for eight days and nights. The winner would have lived here. She could have gone to all the openings in the community and done special events. I'm very disappointed."

Zwelling said he didn't want to release the names of the businesses who offered to help because he didn't want them to be contacted by others looking for money.

"They give a lot to the community and will continue to give, but I don't think it's fair to release their names," Zwellling said. "But I know that the money they said they would give was just a scratch on the surface. We could have gotten a lot more."

Zwelling said he thinks pageant board members made a mistake.

"But, we'll move forward," Zwelling said.

Zanesville Mayor disappointed by Miss Ohio Board decision
Kathy Thompson / Zanesville Times Recorder

November 11, 2010

ZANESVILLE -- Zanesville Mayor Butch Zwelling said he offered The Miss Ohio Scholarship Program almost $400,000 in in-kind and cash over three years to bring the pageant from Mansfield to Zanesville.

"I'm kind of crushed," Zwelling said. "It think if they would have brought the program here, it would have bought in about millions of dollars to the city. I've worked on this project for three years and was really hoping they would bring it here."

Zwelling said he had about 30 private sponsors that would have put up $51,000 in cash for three years.

"I can't really say who they are because I don't want them to get bombarded by others," Zwelling said. "But I will say that ZBus was offering to take the girls around and I had a local motel that was willing to give 16 rooms for eight days and nights." As for in-kind contributions, Zwelling said that would have included police protection and a break on the rental of Secrest Auditorium.

"I don¹t have to go to city council for those things," Zwelling said. "I can offer those without council's approval." Zwelling said had the pageant come to Zanesville in June, the motels and restaurants would have been full.

"There are 28 girls and they would have probably brought their families here," Zwelling said. "While it's not the end of the world, it would have been great."

Pageant Press: Miss Ohio pageant will stay in Mansfield

Miss Ohio pageant will stay in Mansfield

Lou Whitmire / Mansfield News Journal

November 11, 2010

MANSFIELD -- The Miss Ohio Scholarship Program will stay in Mansfield.

Zanesville officials had tried to lure the pageant there, possibly before next year's event in June, but the board decided Wednesday "that remaining in Mansfield would be in the best interest of the program at this time," according to a press release from program spokesperson Kim Kanary.

“Now the hard work of partnering with Miss Ohio to rebuild them, so they become self-sustaining again, needs to begin,” Lee Tasseff, director of the Mansfield-Richland County Convention and Visitors Bureau, said today,

The Miss Ohio board was pondering a departure from Mansfield, where it has been for 36 years, without a written contract from the City of Zanesville, Tasseff said Wednesday.

Tasseff said he asked the board if it had an official commitment from the City of Zanesville and was told it did not. "It has never been brought up to Zanesville council," Tasseff said.

Community leaders met with the Miss Ohio Scholarship Board of Directors on Wednesday night and went through the board's wish list point by point, Tasseff said after the meeting. "We said they were all doable. We did ask them, if they're sticking around, we intend it to be a partnership.

"They have to commit to helping us and we'll commit to helping them."

Tasseff said the board had a lively, hour-long discussion of the matter.

"We asked, they asked," Tasseff said. "It was much more targeted because there was the list in front of us."

Kanary's press release referenced the partnership proposed by Mansfield leaders and acknowledged the "stirred emotions" the proposed move had created. "(W)e believe it ultimately resulted in a stronger partnership with more open and improved lines of communication," Kanary stated.

On Oct. 13, a contingent of community leaders addressed the Miss Ohio board. That group of about 10 people gathered at the Renaissance Theatre on Wednesday night.

Tasseff said he told the board, "We need to make a decision. We think you need to do it now."

In late September, board member Steven Oliveri told Mansfield Mayor Don Culliver the organization needs more financial support from the community.

"The organization has plenty of volunteers. We need people to come see our show, participate in our fundraisers ... if people aren't willing to do straight donations," Oliveri said.

The board has declined to release Zanesville's financial proposal.

The Miss Ohio program operates with expenses between $175,000 and $225,000.

Zanesville Mayor Howard Zwelling said he had been talking to members of the Miss Ohio board for two or three years about the prospect of moving the pageant. "I think Mansfield has done a good job of it and I'd like to have it for my community, too," Zwelling said.

Tasseff said Mansfield has been the single best partner Miss Ohio has ever had. The city's lodging tax contributes $10,000 annually to the Miss Ohio Scholarship Program. Newman Technology Inc. donates $10,000 to the new titleholder each year.

Miss Ohio officials did not return calls seeking comment this morning.

Tasseff was grateful for the efforts of local officials to keep the program here. “It’s been an enthusiastic and very focused group of community leaders. It’s been a true team effort and we will continue that,” he said.

A press conference is set for 11 a.m. today in Zanesville.

Click back or see Friday's print and online versions of the News Journal for more on this story.

Pageant Press: Miss Ohio Moving to Zanesville?

The Mansfield News Journal ran not one, but three articles, all written by Lou Whitmire, about Miss Ohio's possible more to Zanesville. Click each title to read tons of comments on the newspapers website.

Miss Ohio may move to Zanesville

September 28, 2010

MANSFIELD—The Miss Ohio Scholarship Program could be moving to Zanesville.

Steven Oliveri, president of the Miss Ohio Board of Trustees, today said the City of Zanesville is among Zanesville entities that have made a written proposal to the Miss Ohio board to host the program in there.

“They are pitching us,” he said.

Oliveri said a decision could be made by the board as early as Oct. 13, its next scheduled board meeting.

The scholarship program is held in June each year at the Renaissance Theatre. It has been held in Mansfield 36 years.

Lee Tasseff, director of the Mansfield-Richland County Convention & Visitors Bureau, said a meeting has been scheduled Friday with Mansfield local officials and supporters.

“It’s not a matter of public dollars. It’s a matter of private dollars. Part of the plan would be to call for people, supporters in the past, who would like to keep the program in Mansfield.

Tasseff said he asked that Mansfield be given a chance to counter whatever Zanesville pitches.

See Wednesday’s print and online editions for more on this story.

Zanesville trying to woo Miss Ohio away from Mansfield

September 29, 2010

MANSFIELD -- The Miss Ohio Scholarship Program could move to Zanesville.

Steven Oliveri, president of the Miss Ohio Board of Trustees, Tuesday said Zanesville has submitted a written proposal to host the Miss Ohio program.

"They are pitching us," Oliveri said, declining to release any details about Zanesville's financialproposal.

Oliveri said the board could decide by its next meeting Oct. 13.

Now is the time for Mansfield supporters to rally to keep the program, Oliveri said, otherwise Miss Ohio could move in time for the 2011 June pageant.

The scholarship program has been in Mansfield for 36 years, usually at the Renaissance Theatre.

Lee Tasseff, director of the Mansfield-Richland County Convention and Visitors Bureau, said a meeting has been scheduled Friday with Mansfield officials.

"It's not a matter of public dollars. It's a matter of private dollars. Part of the plan would be to call for people, supporters in the past, who would like to keep the program in Mansfield," Tasseff said.

Tasseff said he asked that Mansfield be given a chance to pitch its own offer.

"We don't know exactly what the proposal is to know what financial target needs to be hit," Tasseff said.

Mayor Don Culliver said he spoke with Oliveri recently.

"He said he has an offer from the Zanesville mayor and business leaders to see if they can move the pageant to Zanesville," Culliver said. "The bottom line is how much scholarship money is being offered. Mansfield offers a whole lot more than Zanesville, but if somebody offers money on the table, they have to listen.

"I'm hoping it doesn't leave. Miss Ohio has been a good partnership for Mansfield. I don't believe any other community will be as friendly and treat them as nice as we do."

Zanesville Mayor Howard Zwelling and Vicki King, director of the Muskingum County Convention Facilities Authority, confirmed their community's interest in the program.

"I've been talking to them about it for two or three years. I think Mansfield has done a good job of it and I'd like to have it for my community, too," Zwelling said.

According to Zwelling, the pageant could take place at the 1,776-seat Secrest Auditorium. The Renaissance Theatre seats 1,402.

"It's not as quaint as the Renaissance Theatre, but it's a magnificent theatre," Zwelling said.

Miss Ohio producer and board member John Kunkel manages Secrest Auditorium. He could not be reached for comment.

"We have never gone out and sought another city. I'm the first one to stand up and say 'I love Mansfield' ... It's hard to throw away 36 years, throw away the love," Oliveri said. "Does Mansfield love us? We think they do.

"Your city has always been extremely supportive. I told Mayor Culliver we're not interested in more money, we need more community help."

The City of Mansfield lodging tax contributes $10,000 annually to the Miss Ohio Scholarship Program. Newman Technology Inc. continues to donate $10,000 to the new titleholder each year.

Tasseff said the Miss Ohio program brings 3,000 people to the Renaissance Theatre each June during the four-night pageant.

"Everyone associated with the pageant rents about 200 hotel rooms for at least four nights, which results in a $176,000 impact," Tasseff said.

Oliveri said the program can operate anywhere in the state.

"This is tough economic times and we're trying to look out for our survival. Our audience was the smallest we've ever had (last June), the lowest ticket sales," Oliveri said.

Local supporter Jeff Angelini, who chairs the Miss Ohio Festival, said he has been involved in Miss Ohio for 15 years. Angelini is also the president of the Miss Mansfield Scholarship Program Board of Directors.

"I think it would be a huge disappointment for everyone in the community if it left, for everyone who has worked so hard, those who have worked for the contestants, the fundraising for scholarships," Angelini said. "There are many, many people behind the scenes who put their heart and soul into it."

Mansfield resident Laura Russell, director of the Miss Mansfield and Miss North Central preliminaries and the Miss Mansfield Outstanding Teen Scholarship Program, said she was apprised of this possible move last year.

"It really upsets me it may move. If it were going to a bigger theater in a bigger area where it would bring more people into it as a positive move I would be for it," Russell said. "I think it is a move backward. I really hope we will be able to counter any actual donations and we're not just moving down there for a soft, 'What they may do for us.'

"I don't think Zanesville is a proper move. I don't think that will be the venue for something of Miss Ohio caliber. I'm really proud how the Renaissance Theatre has redone their theatre. It really brings the Miss Ohio pageant where it needs to be."

Dana Sowers, of Mansfield, has volunteered for 26 years as a chaperone at Miss Ohio.

"If it would leave Mansfield you'd have a lot of heart-broken people," Sowers said. "If it leaves Mansfield, there will be a lot of upset people, including the people who donate to the program -- the banks, the restaurants and the home hostesses who open their homes to the contestants.''

Zanesville Times Recorder reporter Holy Richards contributed to this story.

Money could move Miss Ohio Scholarship Program to Zanesville

September 30, 2010

MANSFIELD -- The Miss Ohio Scholarship Program is known for smiles and crowns, but a proposed relocation could come down to dollars and cents.

As Zanesville attempts to lure the pageant from Mansfield, local officials are working to keep the program, which could move before the 2011 June pageant.

Steven Oliveri, executive director of the Miss Ohio Board of Directors, has declined to release Zanesville's financial proposal. The board could make a decision by Oct. 13.

Lee Tasseff, director of the Mansfield-Richland County Convention & Visitors Bureau, said a Friday meeting is planned with Mansfield officials and supporters in an effort to pitch a local offer.

Officials have hinted Mansfield, which has hosted the show for 36 years, isn't generating enough money for the program.

According to the nonprofit Miss Ohio organization's 2007 IRS Form 990, the latest available financial figures made public online at Guidestar, the program has three existing loans and owes $33,182 to Richland Bank; $22,000 to former executive director Jeri Waite; and $10,000 to Oliveri.

Wednesday, Oliveri said the nonprofit program's debt has been reduced since the 2007 report.

"We've been able to do very well in the last couple of years to make sure our debt is down, but it's not gone," Oliveri said. "With the economy, it's gone down slower than we want it to be. And who in this economy hasn't had this? We're feeling very fortunate. We're always looking for new financial opportunities."

Oliveri said he isn't permitted to release the program's latest debt or financial figures until the agency's accountant files them with the government.

"Our fiscal year 2009 ends (today)," he said.

Oliveri told Mayor Don Culliver the organization needs more financial support from the community.

"The organization has plenty of volunteers. We need people to come see our show, participate in our fundraisers ... if people aren't willing to do straight donations," he said.

Oliveri said the organization constantly has fundraisers, including the bowlathon and Monte Carlo Night.

"Whatever money we make, we retain the money to operate and give out money for scholarships, which last year (2009) was $42,300 at the state level. Through local (preliminary) programs around the state, last year we gave out $50,000," Oliveri said. "To put on Miss Ohio, for each one of the contestants there are seven people behind the scenes. We have about 180 volunteers."

The pageant recently added the Miss Ohio Outstanding Teen to bring in additional audience members and a younger crowd.

In May, Lexington resident Drena McCurdy, executive director of the Miss Ohio Outstanding Teen Program and vice president of the Miss Ohio board of directors, said the teen program is the organization's biggest fundraiser. It is also a feeder program to the Miss Ohio and Miss America programs.

"We're always looking for dollars to operate," Oliveri said. "We're always looking for new ideas for how we can raise money.

"We're no different than any other business, nonprofit or any other family who tightens their belt and looks for new opportunities."

The Miss Ohio program operates with expenses between $175,000 and $225,000, which includes money taken in from fundraisers and scholarship donations, he said.

Oliveri said June's Miss Ohio pageant was not televised in an effort to boost ticket sales, but the audience was the smallest to date. Tickets are $20 on preliminary nights, $40 on the final night.

"The more money we have, the more we can put toward scholarships," Oliveri said.

According to the 2007 federal statement, the program's expenses included $51,797 for production costs, $8,748 for program books, $3,497 for insurance, $2,811 for judges fees and expenses, and $2,709 to prepare Miss Ohio for her competition at Miss America. Preparation includes wardrobe, presentation skills, fitness training, travel expenses and image consulting.

lwhitmire@nncogannett.com

419-521-7223