MANSFIELD — Mara Mason left everything on the stage during her vocal performance Friday night for the 2019 Miss Ohio Scholarship Competition at the Renaissance Theatre.
Mason, 22, of Columbus, won first place in the talent competition for her rendition of “Think Of Me,” Andrew Lloyd Weber’s Phantom of the Opera.
“It feels wonderful,” the Ohio State graduate said. “It’s a little overwhelming, but in a good way.”
Mason said she chose her number because she’s loved the Phantom of the Opera musical since she started studying musical theater in high school.
“I haven’t sung it since my senior year of high school and I decided it was time to bring it back,” Mason said. “I came off the stage and started crying. I left it all on the stage and did the best I could have done.”
Mason graduated from OSU in 2019 with a major in Journalism. She hopes one day to be the first female Ohio Senator.
Her platform, One in Five, is designed to help empowered women end sexual violence.
“I started this platform because I noticed there was an issue with the culture at Ohio State and with schools across the country,” Mason said. “I wanted to talk about this issue doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be addressed. This issue is very important to me.”
Other scholarship winners were Rachel Gombosh, who won Miss Photogenic a $500 award from the Richland Mall.
Emily Legenza was honored for her hard work and community service with a $500 award.
Caroline Grace Williams earned a $250 scholarship for raising the most money for Children’s Miracle Network.
Mackenzie Perry and Rosie Westerbeck each earned $500 women in business scholarships.
Monique Booher, Grace Brown and Cami Mohler each earned $500 women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics scholarships.
This marked the second night of competition. Thursday night’s coverage can be found at this link. A Miss Ohio 2019 will be crowned Saturday night at the Renaissance Theater.
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