Pageant Press: Miss Ohio gets stylish send off from Kingston

Miss Ohio gets stylish send off from Kingston
By BRENDA J. DONEGAN
The Marion Star

[Above: Miss Ohio Marlia Fontaine practices her winning surprise expression while holding the Miss America crown and sash of Marion's Marilyn Meseke who won the Miss America title in 1938. Photo by James Miller]

MARION - A goal of Carrie Hutchman, the newly appointed executive director of the Miss Ohio program, is to bring an awareness of the program to Marion.

For that reason, she and Kingston Residence of Marion, hosted the official send-off reception to the Miss America pageant for Miss Ohio Marlia Fontaine. Fontaine leaves Jan. 10 for the competition in Las Vegas. Hutchman will also attend the pageant, she noted.

"This will be my first official duty to attend the Miss America pageant," Hutchman said. "I guess executive directors are a part of a committee so I'm interested in learning the dynamics of the pageant."

At Friday night's gala event, Fontaine modeled all of her pageant outfits including a gown donated by local merchant, Myra Milligan, owner of Hearts Entwined Bridal Shop. Fontaine said she plans to wear the dress as her walk-on dress the night of the pageant.

Fontaine also performed her vocal talent singing "The Impossible Dream" Friday night.

Hutchman and members of the Miss Ohio Board of Directors have high hopes that Fontaine will bring home the Miss America crown.

"There's just something about her that is special," Hutchman said. "She has a good interview, good talent and in the fitness category should do quite well. It takes all those things combined. She's a very steady competitor. Some shine in one area or another but she shines in everything."

Fontaine recently was coached and appraised by a team of area folks with a variety of expertise. Among them was Marion City Schools Superintendent Bill Zwick.

"You have great poise, confidence, knowledge and voice inflection," Zwick told Fontaine after the interview.

Ruby Jackson, another member of the panel, retired educator and judge for the Miss Teen competitions, was also impressed by Fontaine.

"I look for you to make the Top Ten, perhaps the Top Five and Miss America," Jackson said.

In addition to Fontaine, those attending were also entertained by the Vic Floyd Trio, a musical group from Mayes Community Temple and Karen Loving-Lutz, activities assistant at Kingston. Charlie Evers, local radio personality and historian, was emcee. [Left: Vic Floyd plays the piano while Lacosta Mayes sings "His Name is Jesus" during a send-off party for Miss Ohio Marlia Fontaine at the Kingston Residence on Friday. Photo by James Miller]

Also on display were memorabilia of former Miss America Marilyn Meseke, a Marion area resident.

Originally published January 7, 2006