Pageant newcomer Celina with ASL talent wins Miss Ohio's Teen Pageant

Lina Portman3 weeks ago

0 4 minutes read

Allie Gray, 17, of Celina, Miss Lake Festival, won the Miss Ohio's Teen pageant Wednesday night at the Renaissance Theater in her first try.

Gray waved and smiled happily to the crowd as outgoing Miss Ohio's Teen 2023 titleholder Paisley French pinned on her crown and sash.

More:Meet the Miss Ohio 2024, Miss Ohio's Teen contestants from across the state.

The Miss Ohio Teen Scholarship Program included 12 contestants who competed in various segments for a chance to become Miss Ohio's Teen 2024 and be part of the Miss America's Teen pageant.

Miss Ohio Scholarship Program Executive Director Steven Oliveri said the teen pageant works exactly the same as the Miss Ohio pageant. Each competitor has the chance to earn the same percentages for each phase of competition: health and fitness, 20%; talents, 20%; his story (private interview), 30%; evening dress, 20%; and on-stage conversation, 10%.

The talents of the participating teens included numerous dancers, a pianist and a contestant who built a robot.

Special entertainment was also provided by a troupe from the Studio of Dance Kentucky.

It was a hectic evening.

The Little Miss Buckeyes, formerly known as the Miss Ohio Princesses, shined on stage dancing with teenage contestants and also parading in their own evening gowns. Several of the younger Miss Buckeyes were elementary school age.

Gray, whose talent is American Sign Language, performed an inspirational song during the talent segment.

Its community service initiative is “Be Real, Not Perfect!” » in the service of promoting body positivity and self-love.

Gray, a senior at Celina High School, will take college prep classes at the Wright State Lake Campus this fall as he works toward a business degree. She received a $2,500 scholarship as the new Miss Ohio's Teen. Active in high school activities, she is president of the National Honor Society, a member of American Sign Language clubs, serves as a cheerleader and participates in other activities.

She said that in third grade, a woman at her church had a deaf son and she decided she wanted to learn ASL.

“I wanted to sign and know what they were saying,” she said. “Luckily, she was also a teacher, aide and interpreter for the kids, so I asked her if she could teach me sign language during recess and we made it into a club,” Gray said.

One of his dreams is to sign the national anthem at a major sporting event.

From the second floor of the Renaissance Theater, as she met with reporters, Gray said she was ready to work on her year and take the Miss America stage.

She said she felt confident during her interview with the judges and showed the judges the best of herself.

Gray said she has supportive parents and two sisters and is excited to get away from her community.

The finalists named:

The fourth runner-up was Chloe Maybin, a 17-year-old from Miss Portmouth, of Wheelersburg, who received a $700 scholarship.

The third runner-up was Miss Shawnee's Mackenzie Harmer, 17, of St. Henry, who won an $800 scholarship.

The second runner-up was Miss Oxford teen Mallory Grimmett, 14, of Coshocton, who won a $900 scholarship.

The first runner-up was Cassie Mattson, a 17-year-old from Miss Maple City, Columbus, who won a $1,000 scholarship. Mattson also won the interview and talent awards, each with a $250 scholarship. She performed an Irish dance.

All non-finalists won a $350 scholarship.

Teenager Kendall Windsor, 18, of Bellville, Miss. Chillicothe, won the Paul Herlihy Spirit Award, a $250 scholarship.

More:39 candidates, 3 days, 2 titles: It's time for Miss Ohio, Miss Ohio's Teen Week

Miss Ohio's Teen Show

Wednesday night's show included farewell dance performances from outgoing Miss Ohio Teen Paisley French of Wheelersburg.

She performed her award-winning dance to “Hallelujah,” which she also performed on the Miss America stage, where she was chosen first runner-up.

Her farewell video showed some of her many appearances across the state as a Miss Ohio teen. French said her year of service taught her the importance of being kind to others and the importance of staying true to yourself.

French had a busy year as a freshman at Ohio State University and as a Miss Ohio teen.

During her farewell video, she said she can faithfully say that she got to where she is simply through the goodness of God and staying true to who she is.

“My experiences at Miss America have shown me that no matter where you go, no matter how many people you meet, staying true to your values will take you far,” she said.

Paisley and Miss Ohio Madison Miller 2023 served as presenters, entertaining the audience with conversations and their beautiful dresses.

More:Past Miss Ohio winners return to host this week's pageant in Mansfield

The first Miss Ohio preliminaries will take place on Thursday

The first Miss Ohio preliminary night will begin at 7:30 p.m. Thursday; the pre-show begins at 7:05 p.m. All parts of the competition will take place at the Renaissance Theater.

Lina Portman

Related Articles

Suspect passes mom and child in Giant Eagle, then stabs them in parking lot, North Olmsted police say (video)

St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office Arrests, Drunk Driving and Arrest Warrants

Ocean City officials talk safety after boardwalk stabbing – NBC10 Philadelphia

I-64 tractor-trailer crash hospitalizes 2 near New Baden