NEWS

Wooster vocalist Sarah Hider crowned Miss Ohio 2015

Lou Whitmire
Reporter
Miss Maple City Sarah Hider, of Wooster, was crowned the 2015 Miss Ohio on Saturday night during the Miss Ohio Scholarship Program at the Renaissance Theatre in Mansfield.

MANSFIELD – Outgoing Miss Ohio MacKenzie Bart on Saturday placed a crown on the head of her successor, Sarah Hider of Wooster, who receives a $10,000 scholarship from Dr. Pepper Snapple Group and other gifts and awards.

Hider, as Miss Maple City, walked away with the preliminary talent award Friday night for her jazz rendition of "Almost Like Being in Love."

The 24-year-old vocalist, on her third and final trip to the Miss Ohio Scholarship Program stage, was crying and shaking nervously as she was given her crown and sash. She bested a field of 21 other contestants.

"I can't believe it. I can feel a crown on my head," she said on the Renaissance Theatre stage moments after winning. "I'm going to Miss America."

Hider was the 2008 Miss Ohio's Outstanding Teen state titleholder. Coming from a musical family, Hider said she was focused on her talent this year.

Hider said she entered the teen program with the intent of going on to Miss Ohio pageant, where she competed twice.

She then took some time off, living in New York, Chicago and Columbus. She gained some life experience, then decided to come back to compete before she aged out; 24 is the age a contestant can be to compete at Miss Ohio.

Last year, she and her mother returned to watch the Miss Ohio pageant finals and see old friends and she said she knew she had to do it one last time. Her platform is, "Women Hold Up Half the Sky."

Miss Ohio 2014 Mackenzie Bart crowns Miss Maple City Sarah Hider, of Wooster, as the 2015 Miss Ohio on Saturday night during the Miss Ohio Scholarship Program at the Renaissance Theatre in Mansfield.

The first runner-up was Miss West Central Ohio Lexi Richter, 21, of New Bremen, who won a $4,000 scholarship from Newman Technology.

Second runner-up was Miss Oxford Karolina Ulasevich, 20, of North Royalton, who won a $2,500 scholarship from Mansfield Noon Optimists.

Third runner-up was Miss Miami Valley Sarah Clapper, 20, of Louisville, who won a $2,000 scholarship from Avita Health System.

Fourth runner-up was Miss Greater Butler County Kristy Ressler, 22, of Fostoria, who won a $1,500 scholarship from Mansfield Elks.

Miss Ohio 2014 Mackenzie Bart crowns Miss Maple City Sarah Hider, of Wooster, as the 2015 Miss Ohio on Saturday night during the Miss Ohio Scholarship Program at the Renaissance Theatre in Mansfield.

Rounding out the top 11 were Miss Clayland Jenna DePizzo, 23, of Cortland; Miss Central Ohio Hayley Hesselschwardt, 21, of Hicksville; Miss Shawnee Allison Vance, 23, of Mount Gilead; Miss Buckeye State Amelia Hitchens, 19, of Newark; Miss Lake Festival Emily Werling, 22, of St. Henry; and Miss North Coast Hannah-Jo Weisberg, 22, of Berea.

A special number was performed by Miss Ohio Mackenzie Bart and her puppet, Roxy, and former Miss Ohio contestant Kinberly Yeager, who also is a ventriloquist and performed with her puppet, Karson.

The foursome sang Yeager's trademark song, "I've Been Everywhere."

Also during the evening, featured entertainer Johnny Porrazzo, of Atlanta, performed a crowd pleaser, "Lighthouse."

It was a double delight for the Miss Maple Program this week at Miss Ohio. Miss Maple City's Outstanding Teen, Emily Krejci of North Royalton, became the 2015 Miss Ohio's Outstanding Teen on Wednesday night at the Renaissance Theatre.

The new titleholders will meet the public at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Richland Mall in Ontario.

PREVIOUSLY:

Miss Ohio: Wooster vocalist wins talent, Newark woman swimsuit

Miss Ohio: First set of talent, swimsuit winners crowned

Miss Ohio's Outstanding Teen is North Royalton vocalist

Miss Ohio Style Show a hit with crowd at mall

Miss Ohio contestants sashay in designer gowns

Miss Ohio hopefuls turn celebrity servers at Applebee's

Contestants cruise through Miss Ohio parade

lwhitmir@nncogannett.com

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Twitter: @Lwhitmir