Miss Ohio Scholarship Program raises age limit, brings back fitness component
The Miss Ohio Scholarship Program is bringing back a Fitness and Health component to the competition in June at the Renaissance Theatre.
As part of changes made at Miss America Scholarship Program by new CEO Robin Fleming, this component of the competition is for all states and will involve wearing fitness apparel by Miss America sponsor Rebel Athletics.
It is not bringing back the swimsuit competition, which Miss America officials did away with recently, said Steven Oliveri, executive director of the Miss Ohio program.
This change is starting at the state level and then will roll into the locals for the 2023-2024 season and will be part of the Miss America national competition in January of 2024.
The Miss America system is working in partnership with the American Heart Association to bring awareness to heart health as it affects so many women, he added.
Currently, teens in the Miss Ohio's Outstanding Teen Scholarship Program already have a similar fitness routine component.
Teen contestants must be 13 to 18 years old
Fleming, a native of Dayton, recently bought the branding rights for the Miss America business, and has made changes, including to the age requirement. Miss contestants can now be age 19 to 28, previously 18 to 25; and teen contestants must be ages 13 to 18, previously 13 to 17.
Oliveri said at one point the expanded age range was 26 but then was changed back to 24.
Oliveri said the new age requirements allows Miss contestants to have the opportunity for additional scholarship money, since some are still continuing their education at 27 and 28 years old. That change and the Fitness and Health component are the two biggest changes to date that pageant officials learned of on a conference call.
Miss America has brought back the emphasis of the four points of the crown: service, style, scholarship and success, he said.
Locally, Miss Ohio fans can see the Miss Ohio Scholarship Program parade June 11 in downtown Mansfield. The contestants will arrive in Mansfield on June 10.
The Miss Ohio's Outstanding Teen Program will be held June 14 and Miss Ohio preliminary nights of competition will be June 15 and 16, with the final night of competition held June 17, when a new Miss Ohio is crowned.
Oliveri said the Miss America program does not have a nonprofit status with the change of leadership, but there is still a scholarship foundation which is separate and is a 501(c)3 nonprofit.
The Miss Ohio program is still a nonprofit organization, with an all-volunteer staff.
More information to come from Miss America HQ
Ohio-based Henri's Cloud Nine of Columbus, which has been a sponsor for the Miss Ohio program for years, will now be the official stylist and evening wear provider for Miss America and Miss America's Outstanding Teen, he said.
Oliveri said he expects more information to come from the Miss America program.
"We don't know how the age range change will affect the number of contestants competing this year but the expanded range provides more opportunity for more young women," he said.
The Spring Forum, which all Miss Ohio and Miss Ohio's Outstanding Teen contestants attend with their families, directors and Miss Ohio staff, will be April 1 in Mansfield.
"We'll know all the plans for Miss Ohio Week and be able to share that information then," he said.
lwhitmir@nncogannett.com
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Twitter: @LWhitmir
This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Fitness and Health component of competition will be added
