MANSFIELD – For Madeline Carter, wonderland means being the best version of herself.
That’s just what the 2015 St. Peter’s High School graduate did Friday evening, giving it her all to sing “Finding Wonderland” on the Miss Ohio stage. Carter, who is competing as Miss Clayland, won the talent portion of the evening’s preliminary competition.
Winning the fitness competition was Miss Northwestern Ohio, Camryn Main.
Carter and Main join Miss Maple City Matti-Lynn Chrisman and Miss Miami Valley Hannah Zimmerman, the winners of Thursday’s talent and swimsuit competitions, as front-runners for the Miss Ohio crown. The final round of competition is Saturday.
During each preliminary, half of the contestants competed in the talent and on-stage question portions of the competition, and the other half competed in swimsuit and evening gown competitions.
A second-time Miss Ohio contestant, Carter said choosing her song for the talent competition this year was easy.
“The first time I heard it, I had chills,” she said. “It resonates so well with my platform.”
Carter’s platform is #Character: A Social Movement.
“I want to be Miss Ohio because I feel I have a message that’s so important,” said Carter, who placed in the top 10 in last year’s Miss Ohio competition.
Main, a first-time contestant, said her wish to be Miss Ohio stems from a desire to be a role model.
Main has the distinction of being the last swimsuit winner in Miss Ohio history as the Miss America organization has eliminated that portion of the contest.
“It feels amazing,” Main said after her win.
Main said she worked hard to prepare for the event.
“I went to the gym a lot, and I made sure I didn’t eat as many burgers,” she said.
In addition to Carter, three other contestants have local ties — Miss Tallawanda Lauren Beard, Miss Portsmouth Rachel Gombosch and Miss Shawnee Maribeth Tagg. All three are Ontario High School alumnae.
Juliana Heichel of Lexington was named Miss Ohio Outstanding Teen.
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