Best of Luck to Ohio’s Sweetheart!

The National Sweetheart pageant is going on this weekend; best of luck to Ohio’s participant, Elyse Healey.

Although this pageant is not officially affiliated with Miss America in any way, it was created for state runners-up to experience national competition. Many Sweetheart participants go on to win their states and five Sweetheart winners have even gone on to become Miss America. Every year about thirty states accept the invitation from the Jaycee’s of Hoopeston, Illinois to participate. If the first runner-up cannot attend, the opportunity is passed down; in Ohio’s case, our third runner-up, Elyse Healey, accepted.

The pageant consists of two preliminary nights (tonight and Saturday), followed by a finale on Sunday in which the Top 10 competes. Phases of competition and scoring are the same as Miss America. Tonight Elyse competed in Onstage question, Swimsuit and Evening Gown; tomorrow night she will perform her talent, a vocal presentation of "I, Don Quixote" from the musical Man of La Mancha.

Tonight's preliminary Talent award winner was South Carolina's Sweetheart. The Swimsuit preliminary was a tie between Florida and Virginia.

Elyse and her mom are keeping her blog updated with photos and commentary.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW HER BLOG

Best of luck to Elyse!