Miss Lake Festival's Teen Allie Gray, 17, of Celina, won Miss Ohio's Teen Wednesday night at the Renaissance Theatre on her first try.
Gray waved and smiled happily to the crowd as outgoing titleholder Miss Ohio's Teen 2023 Paisley French pinned on her crown and sash.
More:Meet the 2024 Miss Ohio, Miss Ohio's Teen contestants from around the state
The Miss Ohio's Teen Scholarship Program featured 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 competition operates exactly the same as the Miss Ohio competition. Each contestant has the chance to earn the same percentages for each phase of competition: health and fitness, 20%; talent, 20%; her story (private interview), 30%; evening gown, 20%; and on-stage conversation, 10%.
The teen contestants' talents 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 fast-paced evening.
Little Miss Buckeyes, formerly known as Miss Ohio princesses, shined on stage dancing with teen 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 to an inspirational song during the talent segment.
Her community service initiative is "Being Real Not Perfect!" in the service of promoting body positivity and self love.
Gray, a senior at Celina High School, will take college prep-plus classes at Wright State Lake Campus this coming fall as part of studies toward a business degree. She was awarded a $2,500 scholarship as the new Miss Ohio's Teen. Active in high school activities, she is president of National Honor Society, a member of American Sign Language clubs, serves as a cheerleader and is part of other activities.
She said in third grade a woman at her church had a son who was deaf and she decided she wanted to learn ASL.
"I wanted to sign and learn what they were saying," she said. "Luckily she was also a teacher, an aide, and interpreted for kids. So I asked her if she could teach me sign language at recess and we made a club out of it," Gray said.
One of her dreams is to sign to the national anthem at a big sporting event.
From the second floor of the Renaissance Theatre as she met reporters, Gray said she is ready to work on her year and to walk the Miss America stage.
She said she felt confident during her interview with judges and showed the judges her best self.
Gray said she has supportive parents and two sisters and is excited to branch out from her community.
Runners-up named:
Fourth runner-up was Miss Portmouth's Teen Chloe Maybin, 17, of Wheelersburg, receiving a $700 scholarship.
Third runner-up was Miss Shawnee's Teen Mackenzie Harmer, 17, of St. Henry, winning an $800 scholarship.
Second runner-up wasMiss Oxford's Teen Mallory Grimmett, 14, of Coshocton, taking home a $900 scholarship.
First runner-up was Miss Maple City's Teen Cassie Mattson, 17, of Columbus, taking home a $1,000 scholarship. Mattson also garnered the interview and talent awards, each with a $250 scholarship award. She performed an Irish dance.
All non-finalists took home a $350 scholarship.
Miss Chillicothe's Teen Kendall Windsor, 18, of Bellville, took home the Paul Herlihy Spirit Award, a $250 scholarship award.
More:39 contestants, 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 by outgoing Miss Ohio's Teen Paisley French of Wheelersburg.
She performed her award-winning dance to "Hallelujah," which she also performed at the Miss America stage, where she was chosen first runner-up.
Her farewell video showed some of her many appearances across the state as Miss Ohio's Teen. French said her year of service taught her the importance of being kind to others and the importance of staying true to oneself.
French had a busy year as a freshman at The Ohio State University and being Miss Ohio's Teen.
During her farewell video, she said she can faithfully say she has gotten to where she is simply because of the goodness of God and staying true to who she is.
"My experiences at Miss America showed me that no matter where you go, no matter how many people you cross paths with, staying true to your values will get you far," she said.
Both Paisley and 2023 Miss Ohio Madison Miller served as emcees, entertaining the audience with conversation and their beautiful gowns.
More:Former Miss Ohio winners return to emcee this week's pageant in Mansfield
First Miss Ohio preliminary is Thursday
The Miss Ohio first preliminary night will begin at7:30 p.m. Thursday; preshow begins at 7:05 p.m. All portions of the competition will take place at the Renaissance Theatre.
The second night of preliminary competition at the Miss Ohio stage is Friday starting at 7:30 p.m. Preshow begins at 7:05 p.m.
On Saturday, it's the Miss Ohio finals and a new Miss Ohio will be crowned. The show begins at7:30 p.m. and preshow at 7:05 p.m. The winner will receive a $10,000 scholarship and the opportunity to compete at Miss America in January. Steven Oliveri, executive director of Miss Ohio, said $52,100 in scholarships will be award at Miss Ohio.
For tickets, go to rentickets.org
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