MANSFIELD — Olivia Fosson is seeking to become the fourth Oklahoma City University graduate to be crowned Miss America.
Fosson, Miss Ohio River, graduated from the private university in May 2023.
The 23-year-old Kitts Hill native thanked her former professors during an interview Friday night after claiming the talent award during Miss Ohio 2024 preliminary night two.
“I’ve had the opportunity to study under some of the best professors in the world,” Fosson said. “I owe them so much and I love them so dearly. None of this would be possible without them.”
She performed “The Jewel Song from ‘Faust'” by Eric Hammerstein and the London Promenade Orchestra.
Fosson explained the song comes during a “happier” portion of the French opera.
“The maid, Marguerite, gets a box of jewels delivered to her doorstep,” she said. “The opera kind of takes a little bit of a darker turn after that, but this was a happy song from it, so I chose that one.”
Fosson hopes to spend life ‘serving others’
Currently enrolled at The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law, Fosson is studying to become a lawyer.
She said certain aspects of the profession remind her of acting.
“I’ve always had a passion for storytelling and helping people,” Fosson said. “Whenever I realized that performing was no longer an avenue for me to pursue, I pivoted and found something that actually was pretty similar to it that may not seem like it on the surface.”
“I’m really happy and grateful to have the opportunity to dedicate my life to serving others,” she said.
Fosson previously competed in Miss Ohio 2021 and Miss Teen Ohio when she was a junior in high school.
Columbus native Finoti takes home health and fitness award
Stephanie Finoti, Miss Shawnee, earned the second health and fitness award in the Miss Ohio Scholarship Program’s history Friday.
After winning the preliminary talent award for the grey flight Thursday, Finoti said she was “a little bit in disbelief.”
“I’m just trying to come to my senses,” the Columbus native said. “I am more than grateful to have won both the preliminary talent award and preliminary fitness award in a flight with so many admirable young women.”
Health and fitness replaced the swimsuit portion of the competition, which halted in 2019 after Miss America announced changes in the national competition.
Finoti, a biomedical science major at the University of Cincinnati, plans to become a neonatologist focusing on premature baby care.
Additionally, the 21-year-old is an active ballet dancer and cycling instructor.
“I like to workout in fun ways,” she said. “I like to take Zumba classes on my campus, take cycling classes, go on a run, go on a walk and of course dance.”
Additional scholarships awarded Friday night
Several additional scholarship awards — presented by reigning Miss Ohio Madison Miller — were earned by contestants Friday night.
Lexington native Grace Riegel, Miss Rock & Roll City, was presented The Ontario Center Photogenic Award. Brittney Putman, Miss Clayland, won the Mina O’Guinn Memorial Scholarship, a $500 award.
Women in business scholarship winners, earning $500 each, were Caroline Trennepohl and Lauren Partin. Both scholarships were sponsored by Gretchen Hickock.
Women in science, engineering, technology and math scholarship winners, also earning $500 each, were Finoti and Lucabella LaEace, Miss Greater Cleveland. ArcelorMittal sponsored both awards.
The program’s 10 semifinalists will re-compete in on-stage conversation, talent, health and fitness, and evening gown Saturday — when Miss Ohio 2024 will be crowned.
Miss Ohio 2024 will represent the state at the Miss America competition in January 2025.
Both Finoti and Fosson agreed the Miss Ohio Scholarship Program provides an “uplifting” environment for its competitors.
“Finding the sisterhood in this organization is probably the easiest thing that I could do and talk about,” Finoti said. “I could talk about it all day long.”
She dedicated her victory Friday to fellow Miss Ohio 2024 competitor Jasmine Roach, Miss Talawanda, who supported Finoti prior to her fitness walk.
“She really came in and just provided me with a lot of support emotionally and physically, and helped me with my outfit and everything,” she said.
“Honestly, if it wasn’t for her support backstage, I do not think that I would have won this award or have felt my most confident self on stage,” Finoti said.
(Photos below are from the second night of competition at Miss Ohio in Mansfield at the Renaissance Theatre.)
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