• Home
• News
• Sports
• Your News
• Forums
• Blogs
• Services
• Community
• Forms
• OhioAutofinder
• Classifieds
• Jobs
• Homes
• Legal Ads

Locals to participate in the Miss Southeastern Ohio Teen scholarship program on Sunday

E-mail Story    |    Print Story    |    Comments    |   

ZANESVILLE -- Five years ago, the Miss Southeastern Ohio program returned to Zanesville under new direction, crowning Zanesville' Jenna Wilson, a national spokeswoman for the March of Dimes.

Over the next several years, contestants have anxiously competed for more than $25,000 in scholarships and prizes annually, with the top prize going to conservation scientist, Ashleigh Lemon of Caldwell in 2007; violinist Kylie Johnson in 2008; then Muskingum University student Olivia Maniaci in 2009.

Along the way, a teen division was established to serve as a mentor program, providing younger contestants an opportunity to prepare, all the while, earning scholarship money that could be applied toward college applications, college entrance exams, and/or college tuition.

The first Miss SEO Teen winner was Sasha Eby from West Muskingum High School, then Renae Wright from Tri-Valley, followed by Sierra Moore from Philo.

On Sunday, an outstanding group of area teen-agers will take the stage with hopes of becoming the 2010 Miss SEO Teen winner, and recipient of a scholarship and prize package valued at more than $5,000.

Complete with a professionally produced stage production, contestants will compete in the following areas of competition: Interview (30 percent), Commitment to Community Service (20 percent), Talent (20 percent), Health and Fitness (15 percent), and Evening Wear (15 percent).

"Our focus is on the local contestants and their involvement in community service, higher education, and the performing arts," said Executive Director Vicki LeVeck. "We provide an opportunity for young women in the southeastern Ohio area to earn much needed and well-deserved scholarship dollars; to showcase their performing talent; to hone their public speaking and interview skills; and to develop personally and professionally overall."

The pageant takes place Sunday, Feb. 7 at 3 p.m. at the Muskingum County Conference & Welcome Center in downtown Zanesville. Tickets are $10 per person (general seating) and available at the Welcome Center and Jillian's.

The 10 contests participating in the program are:

* Tori Green, freshman, Zanesville; vocal, "Somewhere Over the Rainbow;" sponsor, Indoff, Inc.; parent, Tammy Bissell; platform, "To Write Love on Her Arms."

* Maryiah Howard, junior, John Glenn/Mid-East Career and Technology Centers; baton twirl: "Cowboy Casanova;" sponsor, Reeds Custom Sawing; parents, Danyeil and Rick Reed, and Tim Howard; platform, Asthma Awareness.

* Megan Whitlow, junior, John Glenn; vocal, "Say All I Need;" sponsors, Aunt Jana and family; parents, Tammy Whitlow and Dave Abellla; platform, Preventing bullying.

* Tiffany Beck, freshman, John Glenn; vocal, "Anyway;" sponsor, Y-City Realty; parents, Dave and Stacy Beck; platform, Tourettes Syndrome Awareness.

* Miranda Walker, senior, John Glenn; vocal/dance, "Rockin' Robin;" sponsor, family; parents, William and Sandra Walker; platform, Child Abuse and Neglect/PEACE.

* Erin Curry, freshman, Maysville; vocal, "White Horse;" sponsor, Dr. John Hibler/Dermatology of SEO; parents, Kevin and Micki Curry; and platform, Cancer Doesn't Discriminate/Another "Golden" Rule.

* Dani King, junior, West Muskingum; dance, "Smooth Criminal;" sponsors, Bryan Snider Funeral Home, Matt Weiser Plumbing, Lia Sophia/Lesha Alexander, Carter's Tax Service, Dr. Brian Crock/Orthodontics and Welsh Photography; parent, Marti King; and platform, Helping children with disabilities to recognize their abilities.

* Madeline Mason, sophomore, West Muskingum; vocal, "Fireflies;" sponsors, West Side Market and Zandex; parents, Donald and Danielle Mason; and platform, Leukemia & Lymphoma: The Race for Ashley.

* Rachel Sharkey, junior, West Muskingum; dance, "Trouble;" sponsor, Vickye Lewis Dance Company; parents, Bob and Gail Sharkey; and platform, Youth Leading Youth.

* Megan Yocum, freshman, Philo; dance, "Rocky Top;" sponsors, Patrons Buckeye Mutual Insurance Co. and Family; parents, David and Denise Yocum; and platform, Commitment to community service and volunteerism.