Miss Ohio
Formation1922
HeadquartersMansfield
LocationOhio
MembershipMiss America
LanguageEnglish
Key peopleStephanie Finoti
WebsiteOfficial website

The Miss Ohio Scholarship Program selects the representative for the U.S. state of Ohio to compete for the title of Miss America. The pageant is held annually, during the "Miss Ohio Festival" week, at the historic 1,600 seat Renaissance Theatre (originally named the Ohio Theatre) in Mansfield.

Ohio representatives have won the Miss America pageant six times, joining California, and Oklahoma as the only states with six crowns. New York has the most winners with seven. Ohio is the only state to have a contestant who won the Miss America title twice:

* When city representatives were common at the national pageant, Mary Katherine Campbell competed in Miss America Pageants as "Miss Columbus, Ohio".

The Miss Ohio pageant played a significant role in the saving of the Ohio Theatre and its renovation into the Renaissance Theatre. Mansfield originally hosted the Miss Ohio Pageant at the old Ohio Theatre from 1959 through 1962. After Jacquelyn Mayer, Miss Ohio 1962, was crowned Miss America 1963, the Miss Ohio pageant was relocated to the Ballroom Pavilion at Cedar Point Amusement Park in Sandusky. In 1975, the pageant returned to Mansfield, first to Malabar High School Auditorium from 1975 through 1978, then to the Madison Theatre in 1979. In 1980, it was decided to televise the pageant. Because of inadequate stage depth and backstage space at the Madison Theatre, then pageant producer Denny Keller and pageant set designer Paul Gilger persuaded the Miss Ohio Board of Directors to move the pageant back to Mansfield's Ohio Theatre, reopening the facility and sprucing it up for the pageant's first televised broadcast. The pageant's return to the old Ohio Theatre was the initial event that eventually led to the total renovation of the theatre and its reincarnation into the Renaissance Theatre. The Miss Ohio Scholarship Program has been held at the Renaissance Theatre since 1980, now for over 40 years.

Olivia Fosson of Kitts Hill was crowned Miss Ohio 2025 on June 21, 2025, at Renaissance Theatre in Mansfield. She competed for the title of Miss America 2026 from September 2-7, 2025.

Results summary

The following is a visual summary of the past results of Miss Ohio titleholders at the national Miss America pageants/competitions. The year in parentheses indicates the year of the national competition during which a placement and/or award was garnered, not the year attached to the contestant's state title.

Placements

Awards

Preliminary awards

Non-finalist awards

  • Non-finalist Talent: Karen Sparka (1973), Cheryl Yourkvitch (1974), Lorrie Kapsta (1975), Janice Cooley (1977), Juliana Zilba (1982), Sarah Ann Evans (1989), Robyn Hancock (1997), Amanda Beagle (2005)

Other awards

Winners

  • Declared as winner
  • Ended as a runner-up
  • Ended as a finalist or semi-finalist
YearNameHometownAgeLocal TitleMiss America TalentPlacement at Miss AmericaSpecial scholarships at Miss AmericaNotes
2025Olivia FossonKitts Hill24Miss ClaylandClassical Vocal, Opera
2024Stephanie FinotiColumbus21Miss ShawneeBallet En Pointe4th Runner-upPreliminary Lifestyle & Fitness AwardFirst Latina Miss Ohio
2023Madison Miller[1]Coshocton23Miss North CoastClassical Piano
2022Elizabetta NiesCincinnati18Miss Maple CityPiano, "Étude Op. 10, No. 10"Top 11Daughter of Miss Illinois 1992 and Miss Illinois USA 1994, Kathleen Farrell Niece of Miss Florida 1985 and Miss Florida USA 1988, Monica Farrell and of Miss New York 1984, Mary-Ann Farrell
2021Lora Current[2]Rosewood20Miss South Central OhioJazz Dance
2019–20Caroline Grace Williams[3]Cincinnati24Miss Montgomery CountyClassical Vocal
2018Matti-Lynn Chrisman[4]Cambridge22Miss Maple CityMusical Theater Vocal, "Life of the Party" from Wild Party
2017Sarah Clapper[5]LouisvilleMiss ClaylandPiano, "White Water Chopsticks"Charles & Theresa Brown Scholarship[citation needed]

Women in Business Scholarship Award[6]
2016Alice Magoto[7][8]Cincinnati18Miss PortsmouthVocal, "Astonishing" from Little WomenPreliminary Lifestyle & Fitness AwardLater Miss Ohio USA 2019[9]
Top 10 at Miss USA 2019 pageant
2015Sarah Hider[10]Wooster24Miss Maple CityJazz Vocal, "Almost Like Being in Love"Previously Miss Ohio's Outstanding Teen 2008[11]
2014Mackenzie Bart[12]Columbus22Miss Montgomery CountyVentriloquism, "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" from Mary PoppinsTop 10Charles & Theresa Brown Scholarship[13]

Preliminary Talent Award[14]

STEM Scholarship Award[14]
Winner of Funny or Die Presents: America's Next Weatherman
2013Heather Wells[15]Warren23Miss Montgomery CountyDance, "Alabaster Box"
2012Elissa McCrackenAda[16]20Miss West Central OhioPiano, "Cumana"
2011Ellen BryanCelina22Miss ClaylandVocal, "On My Way" from VioletQuality of Life Award Finalist
2010Becky MingerSylvaniaMiss All-American CityVocal, "A House Is Not a Home"Top 10 at National Sweetheart 2008 and 2009 pageants

3rd runner-up in Miss Ohio USA 2012 pageant[citation needed]

4th runner-up in Miss Ohio USA 2013 pageant
2009Erica GelhausSt. Henry21Miss ClaylandClassical Vocal, "So Anch'io la Virtu Magica" from Don PasqualePreviously National Sweetheart 2007
2008Karissa MartinWoodsfield20Vocal, "The Girl in 14-G"
2007Roberta CampGrove City23Miss Maple CityVocal, "Blessed"Top 15 Miss Ohio USA 2006
2006Melanie Murphy[17]Brook Park20Miss Miami ValleyDance, "Pump It"Later Mrs. Ohio America 2011 under married name, Melanie Miller
2005Marlia FontaineMassillon23Miss Lake ErieVocal, "The Impossible Dream"
2004Amanda BeagleWarren24Classical Vocal, "Quando me'n vo'"Non-finalist Talent AwardTop 10 at National Sweetheart 2003 pageant
2003Janelle CoutsAkron22Miss MedinaVocal, "When I Look at You" from The Scarlet Pimpernel
2002Tiffany HaasCincinnati20Miss Heart of it AllClassical Vocal, "Glitter and Be Gay" from CandideQuality of Life Award 2nd runner-upLater starred as Glinda in Broadway and national touring productions of Wicked[18]
2001Natalie WitwerDublin19Miss AshlandPiano, "America the Beautiful"
2000Stephanie MeisbergerHopewell23Miss North CoastVocal, "You Do Something to Me"Contestant at National Sweetheart 1999 pageant
1999Tiffany BaumannCleveland22Miss Greater ClevelandVocal, "But the World Goes Round" by Kander and EbbNiece of Miss Ohio 1969, Kathrine Baumann
1998Cheya WatkinsCincinnati21Miss Southeastern OhioGospel Vocal, "His Eye Is on the Sparrow"Later Miss Ohio USA 2000
1997Kelly CreagerHamler19Miss ConneautVocal, "Remember Me This Way" from Casper
1996Robyn HancockGrand Rapids21Miss CrestlineClassical Ballet en Pointe, "Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy" from The NutcrackerNon-finalist Talent Award
1995Ellen PasturzakPortsmouth23Miss PortsmouthVocal, "As if We Never Said Goodbye" from Sunset Boulevard
1994Lea MackPickerington21Miss Pickerington-AmericaVocal, "Think of Me"Top 10Quality of Life Award 2nd runner-upPreviously Ohio's Junior Miss 1991
1993Titilayo AdedokunCincinnati20Miss AmericanaClassical Vocal, "The Jewel Song" from Faust2nd runner-upPreliminary Talent Award
1992Robin Michelle MeadeNew London23Miss MansfieldVocal, "Alexander's Ragtime Band"Top 10Lead news anchor for HLN morning show, Morning Express with Robin Meade, since 2011[citation needed]
1991Renee AuthersonNewark21Miss Central OhioVocal / Tap Dance, "Fabulous Feet" from The Tap Dance Kid
1990Kristi CookeMarion22Miss WillardVocal, "Nothing" from A Chorus Line
1989Kristin HuffmanCanal Winchester24Miss Pickerington-AmericaClassical Vocal, "Csárdás" from Die Fledermaus4th runner-upPreliminary Talent Award
1988Sarah Ann EvansVan Wert23Miss Pickerington-AmericaVocal, "Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again" from The Phantom of the OperaNon-finalist Talent Award
1987Susan Kay JohnsonColumbus22Miss CantonVocal, "Believe"
1986Mary ZilbaToledoMiss Greater ToledoVocal, "My Mammy"Sister of Miss Ohio 1981, Juliana Zilba

Later appeared on The Real Housewives of Vancouver[19]
1985Suellen CochranHeath21Miss Southeastern OhioPiano, "Variations on Chopsticks"Top 10Preliminary Swimsuit Award

Preliminary Talent Award
1984Melissa Ann BradleyMansfield23Miss ClaylandVocal, "A Piece of Sky" from Yentl1st runner-upMother of actor, Chad Buchanan[citation needed]
1983Pamela Helean RigasCanfield22Miss Cuyahoga County FairVocal / Dance, "Shine it On"4th runner-upPreliminary Swimsuit AwardPreviously Ohio's Junior Miss 1978

Previously Miss Alabama USA 1980
3rd runner-up at Miss USA 1980 pageant
1982Debra GombertBexley22Miss North CentralSemi-classical Vocal, "Love Is Where You Find It"
1981Juliana ZilbaMansfield21Vocal Medley, "Up the Ladder to the Roof" & "With One More Look at You" from A Star Is BornDr. David B. Allman Medical Scholarship

Non-finalist Talent Award
Sister of Miss Ohio 1986, Mary Zilba
1980Kathy VernonYoungstown24Miss North CentralVocal Medley, "I Have Dreamed" & "I Loved You Once in Silence"Top 10
1979Tana CarliLakewood23Miss WillardAccordion Medley, "Tea for Two" & "Dizzy Fingers"1st runner-upPreliminary Talent Award
1978Sher PatrickCenterville19Miss South CentralMiddle-Eastern Dance3rd runner-up
1977Joan GilgerMansfield21Miss Bowling GreenGymnastic Trampolinecolspan=3
Susan PerkinsMiddletown23Miss ClaylandVocal, "Good Morning Heartache"Winner[20]Preliminary Talent AwardJudge for the preliminary competition of the Miss America 2018 pageant[21]
1976Janice CooleyPortsmouth20Miss Ohio ValleyPiano, "Mephisto Waltz"Non-finalist Talent Award
1975Susan BanksRavenna24Miss WarrenClassical Vocal, "Sempre libera" from La traviata3rd runner-upPreliminary Talent Award
1974Lorrie KapstaColumbus26Miss Franklin CountyClassical Piano, "Piano Concerto in B Minor" by TchaikovskyNon-finalist Talent Award
1973Cheryl YourkvitchLorain21Miss Lorain CountyVocal Medley
1972Karen SparkaBowling GreenMiss Bowling GreenVocal Medley, "My Man" & "My Man's Gone Now"
1971Judy JonesWest Alexandria19Miss Miami Universitycolspan=3
Laurie Lea SchaeferBexley22Miss Central OhioSemi-classical Vocal, "And This Is My Beloved"Winner[22]Preliminary Swimsuit Award
1970Grace BirdAlliance21Miss AllianceFrench Horn & Classical Vocal, "1st Concerto for French Horn" & "Ouvre ton Coeur" from Vasco da Gama by Georges Bizet
1969Kathrine BaumannBowling Green19Miss Bowling GreenGymnastics Dance, "Those Were the Days"1st runner-upPreliminary Swimsuit Award

Preliminary Talent Award
Aunt of Miss Ohio 1999, Tiffany Baumann
1968Leslyn HipleLouisville19Miss CantonVocal Medley, "If My Friends Could See Me Now" & "I'm a Brass Band" from Sweet Charity
1967Pamela RobinsonDayton22Miss DaytonVocal, "Oh, to Be a Movie Star" from The Apple TreePreviously Ohio's Junior Miss 1963
3rd runner-up at America's Junior Miss 1963 pageant
1966Sharon PhillianDelaware21Miss DelawareVocal Medley, "This Is My Country" & "Où va la jeune Hindoue" from Lakme3rd runner-upPreliminary Talent AwardContestant at National Sweetheart 1965 pageant
1965Valerie LavinCanton20Miss CantonVocal / Dance, "I Ought to Dance"
1964Diane CourtwrightColumbus19Miss ColumbusPopular Vocal & Modern Jazz Dance
1963Peggy EmersonAkronMiss AkronSemi-classical Vocal, "And This Is my Beloved"
1962Bonne GawronskiToledo19Miss ToledoModern Jazz Interpretation of "Let There Be Drums"colspan=3
Jacquelyn MayerSandusky20Miss Vacationland[23]Broadway Vignette, "Wishing Upon a Star," "My Favorite Things," & "The White Cliffs of Dover"Winner[24]Had a near-fatal stroke at the age of 28[citation needed]
1961Darlene DepasqualeDayton18Miss DaytonComedy Skit, "Betty at the Baseball Game"
1960Alice McClainMarionMiss MarionVocal, "Summertime" & "I Got Plenty of Nothin"
1959Carole WeilerCirclevilleMiss CirclevilleDramatic Reading
1958Margaret PutmanAdaMiss AdaDramatic Sketch, "Student Nurse"
1957Linda HattmanMansfieldMiss MansfieldBallet
1956Roberta PalmerClevelandMiss ClevelandVocal, "On the Street Where You Live" from My Fair LadyMother of Matthew Porretta[citation needed]
1955Marguerite GarrCincinnatiMiss CincinnatiVocal & Zither, "Old Black Joe"
1954Barbara QuinlinAllianceMiss AllianceClassical Vocal, "Habanera"Top 10Preliminary Talent Award
1953Martha ZimmermanSalemMiss SalemDrama / Piano
1952Carol KoontzBolivarMiss BolivarFire Baton Twirling & Clarinet
1951Ruth HowellApple CreekMiss Apple CreekDrama
1950Irene FarrenGrand RiverMiss Grand RiverFashion Design
1949Florence Christine BondiCleveland19Miss ClevelandTap Routine
1948Maxine Marie Ann WaackFairview18Miss FairviewRumba Dance
1947Nancy NesbittClevelandMiss ClevelandVocal, "I Don't Know Enough About You"
1946LaVonne BondCincinnatiMiss CincinnatiVocal, "Thine Alone" from EileenTop 16Multiple Ohio representatives

Competed under local title at Miss America pageant
Mary Eileen KellyClevelandMiss Cleveland
1945Julia DonahueOxfordMiss OhioMultiple Ohio representatives

Competed under local title at Miss America pageant
Virginia Lee PleasantCincinnatiMiss Cincinnati
1944Madeline BohanonCompeted under local title at national pageant
1943Joan HyldoftIce SkatingPreliminary Talent Award
1942Barbara PattersonPreliminary Talent Award
1941Lois Jean BeckClevelandMiss ClevelandMultiple Ohio representatives

Competed under local title at Miss America pageant
Janice SulzmanWilloughbyMiss OhioTop 15
1940Violet BerzeSteubenvilleMiss OhioMultiple Ohio representatives

Competed under local title at Miss America pageant
Bette Jane HartMiss Central Ohio
1939Maxine DrummMiss East OhioMultiple Ohio representatives

Competed under local title at Miss America pageant
Jeanne SabodaClevelandMiss Ohio
1938Evelyn BertelsbeckClevelandMiss ClevelandTop 15Multiple Ohio representatives

Competed under local title at Miss America pageant
Marilyn MesekeMarion21Miss OhioTap Dance, "How'd You Like to Love Me," "The World Is Waiting for the Sunrise," & "Joseph, Joseph"Winner
1937Jean FaddenClevelandMiss OhioTop 16Multiple Ohio representatives

Competed under local title at Miss America pageant
Sally Lillian FrankCincinnatiMiss Cincinnati
Evelyn TownleyMiss Buckeye LakeTop 16
1936Dorothy A. DuncanCincinnatiMiss CincinnatiMultiple Ohio representatives

Competed under local title at Miss America pageant
Evelyn TownleyMiss Buckeye LakeAcrobatic DanceTop 15
1935Beatrice PfeifferCincinnatiMiss CincinnatiVocalMultiple Ohio representatives

Competed under local title at Miss America pageant
Eleanore PapinClevelandMiss Cleveland
1934No national pageant was held[25]
1933Corinne Porter18Miss OhioTop 18
1932No national pageants were held[25]
1931
1930
1929
1928
1927Erma Shorwood SteeleMiss CantonN/A[26]Multiple Ohio representatives

Competed under local title at Miss America pageant
Evelyn WilgusRussells PointMiss Ohio
1925Elsie ConnorMiss ClevelandTop 15Multiple Ohio representatives

Competed under local title at Miss America pageant
Elarka TowneConneautMiss Ohio
Emilia KaniewskaMiss Toledo
Isabel RobertsonMiss Youngstown
1924Mary Katherine CampbellColumbus17Miss America 1922 and 19231st runner-upMultiple Ohio representatives

Competed under local title at Miss America pageant
Lenore O'RyanMiss Columbus
Pauline JamesMiss YoungstownTop 15
1923Thelma Boyd[27]AkronMiss AkronMultiple Ohio representatives

Competed under local title at Miss America pageant
Mary Katherine Campbell[28]Columbus16Miss America 1922Winner[29]Competed as Miss America 1922

Successfully defended her title, the only woman to win the national pageant twice
[29]
Olga Emrick[28]CincinnatiMiss CincinnatiMultiple Ohio representatives

Competed under local title at Miss America pageant
Mary Jane Clark[28]ClevelandMiss Cleveland
Genevieve Mambourg[28]ColumbusMiss Columbus
1922Doris Widdersheim[30]AkronMiss AkronMultiple Ohio representatives

Competed under local title at Miss America pageant
Leile Charles[31]ClevelandMiss ClevelandIntercity Roller Chair Parade Third Prize[32]
Mary Katherine Campbell[33]Columbus15[34]Miss ColumbusWinner[35]Intercity Beauty Award[36]

Evening Dress Award Third Prize[37]
Helen Frances Smith[38]DaytonMiss Dayton
Loraine Foskey[39]ToledoMiss Toledo
1921No Ohio representative at Miss America pageant[40]

References

  1. ^ Serraro, Katie (June 18, 2023). "Third time's the charm: Madison Miller, Miss North Coast, is crowned Miss Ohio". Richland Source. Retrieved June 18, 2023.
  2. ^ Peng Chen. "Rosewood native Lora Current crowned 2021 Miss Ohio". Richland Source. Retrieved 2021-06-28.
  3. ^ Whitmire, Lou (June 16, 2019). "Miss Ohio 2019 winner: Vocalist Caroline Grace Williams from Cincinnati is crowned". Mansfield News Journal
  4. ^ Kelly, Jamie (June 17, 2018). "Miss Ohio 2018 is Matti-Lynn Chrisman of Cambridge". Mansfield News Journal
  5. ^ Whitmore, Lou (June 17, 2017). "Sarah Clapper is Miss Ohio". Mansfield News Journal.
  6. ^ Mason, Mara (September 18, 2017). "Ohio State alumna among Miss America contestants". The Lantern.
  7. ^ Motsinger, Carol (September 9, 2016). "Meet the Miss Ohio next door". Cincinnati Enquirer
  8. ^ "Alice Magoto is Miss Ohio 2016". pageantsnews.com. Archived from the original on August 20, 2016.
  9. ^ Brookbank, Sarah (November 5, 2018). "Hyde Park woman wins Miss Ohio USA competition". Cincinnati Enquirer
  10. ^ Schock, Brittany (June 20, 2015). "Sarah Hider wins Miss Ohio 2015 crown". Richland Source. Retrieved August 4, 2015.
  11. ^ Whitmire, Lou (June 20, 2015). "Wooster vocalist Sarah Hider crowned Miss Ohio 2015". Mansfield News Journal Hider was the 2008 Miss Ohio's Outstanding Teen state titleholder.
  12. ^ "Miss Montgomery County crowned 2014 Miss Ohio". Dayton, OH: WHIO-TV. June 21, 2014. Retrieved August 4, 2015.
  13. ^ "2015 Miss America Pageant Scholarship Winners". Miss America. Archived from the original on August 18, 2015.
  14. ^ "2015 Miss America Pageant Scholarship Winners". Miss America. Archived from the original on August 18, 2015.
  15. ^ Salter, Lamar (June 24, 2013). "Howland native wins Miss Ohio 2013 pageant". Youngstown, OH: WFMJ-TV. Retrieved August 4, 2015.
  16. ^ "Former Queen Achieves Another Reign". triblive.com.
  17. ^ Whitmire, Lou (July 10, 2006). "Cavs dancer wins Miss Ohio crown". The Marion Star. p. 1. Retrieved August 4, 2025.
  18. ^ Joseph, Natalie (September 28, 2017). "Yorktown native and Broadway actress Tiffany Haas performs at Williamsburg Players". Daily Press
  19. ^ "From Dating to Drama The Real Housewives of Vancouver's Mary Zilba Talks". The Province. Apr 15, 2013. Retrieved February 8, 2025.
  20. ^ Roberts, Roxanne (September 16, 1995). "Beauty Is as Beauty Does". The Washington Post
  21. ^ "Miss America preliminary judges announced". August 1, 2017.
  22. ^ "Miss America 1972 Sitting on Throne". Getty Images. September 11, 1971.
  23. ^ Mayer bio - Ohio History.org Archived 2014-10-17 at the Wayback Machine
  24. ^ "A Former Miss America Tells of Her Crowning Achievement: Recovery from a Stroke". PEOPLE. May 17, 1982.
  25. ^ "Miss America Timeline: 1901–1950". PBS. Archived 2017-02-15 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2019-05-05.
  26. ^ Schnitzspahn, Karen (September 8, 1997). "There She Was – Miss Long Branch". Asbury Park Press. p. 4. – via Newspapers.com
  27. ^ "Be Chosen In Beauty Show". The Lima News. September 7, 1923. p. 1. – via Newspaperarchive.com
  28. ^ "Golden Apple Is Sought by Scores". The Morning Call. September 6, 1923. p. 12. – via Newspapers.com
  29. ^ "Miss Columbus Again Captures Beauty Title". The Norwalk Hour. September 7, 1923. p. 16.
  30. ^ "Beautiful Floats Represent Rubber". India Rubber Review: A Monthly Journal for the Maker, Seller and User of Rubber. Vol. 22. India Rubber Review. November 1922. p. 99. – via Google Books. Miss Widdersheim...was recently selected as Akron's prize beauty
  31. ^ Mackey, J. (November 4, 1922). "Everybody Happy–the Sketches Tell Why". Dry Goods Economist. Vol. 76. University of Minnesota. p. 81.
  32. ^ "Miss Indianapolis Wins Beauty Prizes at Shore". The Gazette Times. September 8, 1922. p. 2. – via Newspapers.com
  33. ^ "More Competitors for Beauty's Crown at Atlantic City". Vancouver Daily World. September 8, 1922. p. 6. – via Newspapers.com
  34. ^ Watson, Elwood & Martin, Darcy (2004). "There She Is, Miss America": The Politics of Sex, Beauty, and Race in America's Most Famous Pageant. 1 ed. New York, New York: Springer Publishing. ISBN 1403981825. – via Google Books.
  35. ^ "Miss Columbus Picked as Miss America at Pageant". Evening Journal. September 9, 1922. p. 3. – via Newspapers.com
  36. ^ "Beauty Title To...". The Evening Journal. September 9, 1922. p. 2. – via Newspapers.com
  37. ^ "Top 3 in evening wear at Miss America 1922". Pikosy
  38. ^ "Now, Which One Would You Say?". Salisbury Evening Post. August 31, 1922. p. 3. – via Newspapers.com
  39. ^ "Beauties Selected by Their Cities to Compete in Big Contest". Lima News. September 1, 1922. p. 19. – via NewspaperArchive.com.
  40. ^ "1921 Candidates". Miss America