Congratulations to the New Titleholders- Karissa Martin, Chirstie Youssef and Ashley Miller!

This past Saturday there was something other than the OSU/Michigan game going on- a pageant! Former Miss Ohio Top 10 Semifinalists Roberta Camp and Nanciann Strosnider gave up their titles, sending two women to Miss Ohio for the first time.

The new Miss Scioto Valley is Karissa Martin [left]. The first time I saw her compete was last year at Miss Southeastern Ohio and she is one of those women of whom you automatically say “she will undoubtedly make it to Miss Ohio soon.” Karissa is a talented vocalist, usually performing “I Feel Pretty” from West Side Story. She is studying Music and Theatre at West Liberty and advocates Skin Cancer Awareness.



Also heading to Miss Ohio for her first time is the new Miss Portsmouth, Christie Youssef [right]. However, it will not be her first time at a state pageant; while I believe she is originally from Ohio, as a pre-med student at Westmont College in Santa Barbara California, she held three local titles in that state. In her first year, 2004, Chirstie was named Fourth Runner-up to Miss California. Her platform is Domestic Abuse Awareness and for her talent she plays the harp or performs a monologue.

Jillian Dansko, a Communications major at John Carroll University was named First Runner-up. Jillian is a tap dancer competing for her third local title whose platform is Artistic Involvement for the Disabled. [Below left to right: Jillian Dansko, Katie Camp, Ashley Hartman, Amy Allen, Cassie Ann Rice, Ashley Brown]


The Second Runner-up was Ashley Hartman. Ashley, a lyrical dancer, is a Communications major at the University of Akron. She advocates Internet Safety, so of course she has a website, click here to check it out! [Below left to right: unsure and Ashley Hartman]


Katie Camp was named Third Runner-up. Katie is a tap dancer studying dance at Wright State University. For her platform, Katie advocates Mentoring through the Arts. [Below left to right: Holly Sue Harris and Katie Camp]


The lovely Amy Allen, from whom I snagged most of these photos :), won the Spirit Award. She is a vocalist who works with Habitat for Humanity. She is a graduate student at Mount Vernon. [Below left to right: Katie Camp, Christie Youssef and Amy Allen]


The winner of Miss Portsmouth's Outstanding Teen was Ashley Miller; her twin sister Amber Miller was named First Runner-up and older sister Elizabeth Ann competed for the Miss titles. They're all below, but I couldn't tell you who is who!


I have but one question about the pageant's opening number- what if a contestant were a Michigan fan?!?!?


For more photos, check out Roberta Camp's and Amy Allen's blogs.