New Miss Ohio already preparing for Miss America

ONTARIO -- The newly crowned Miss Ohio Ellen Bryan and Miss Ohio's Outstanding Teen Kelsey Barrett attracted a crowd Sunday at Richland Mall during their first official autograph signing.

Bryan, 22, of Celina, said she slept 90 minutes since winning the state title Saturday night at the Renaissance Theatre.

"This year felt so relaxing," said Bryan, who won the crown on her third try as Miss Clayland. "It was so peaceful. I just felt like myself. So many years, I've tried to model other people, the Miss Americas, and this year, I just said, you know, Ellen Bryan is good enough for me.

"It was a great, fun week," she said.

Barrett, 17, of Wapakoneta, won Miss Ohio's Outstanding Teen competition Tuesday night at the Renaissance Theatre.

A senior at Wapakoneta High School, she won the crown on her fourth try. The talented vocalist, who entered the pageant as Miss Crystal Lake's Outstanding Teen, also won the talent award. A singer, she has won the talent segment every year she has competed.

She will next compete at the national level in Orlando, Fla.

Sunday, Barrett said she was still "on cloud nine.

"I've said it a million times but I mean it," she said, surrounded by her parents, Jon and Lisa Barrett.

Her proud father said it was a great Father's Day week.

"We had breakfast in the room," Kelsey said. "We have the autograph session, then we'll get in the car and head home. My dad might be able to watch some NASCAR, catch up on some sports. That's what he loves to do. It's his day."

Bryan just graduated from Ball State University, having majored in telecommunications. She hopes to become a TV new anchor and reporter.

Her platform as Miss Ohio is, "Promoting Lightning Awareness. Her older sister, Christina, 28, was struck by lightning 11 years ago.

"She's in a wheelchair and hasn't talked since," she said.

Bryan said it's great to be able to do something positive for her sister and educate others about lightning strikes.

"Last night when I won, she was crying," Bryan said. "My parents (Kent and Virginia) actually missed when my crown was being put on because they were trying to take care of Christina. She was so emotional."

Bryan, a talented vocalist, sang "Circle of Life" from "The Lion King" this past week as her talent selection.

She said she is unsure if she will sing the same song at Miss America.

"All of the paperwork is due in four weeks for Miss America," she said.

Bryan will go to Orlando to support Barrett at the Miss America's Outstanding Teen Program.

The two women live about 20 minutes apart in southwest Ohio.

Bryan said as Miss Ohio she has many plans.

"I want to do a bike tour in September, going to all of the Children's Miracle Network Hospitals, traveling it by bicycle and raising money for them," she said.

Paige Bishop, 18, who volunteered at Miss Ohio this past week for her ninth year, came to support the new titleholders.

"I was a junior assistant, a gopher basically, and I helped the chaperones," she said. "It was awesome.''

It was a family affair. Paige's brother, Bryce, worked the stage crew with his dad, Jim Bishop. Bryce also took photographs.

Miss North Coast Chelsi Howman, 18, of Ashland, came to support Barrett and Bryan.

"I'm planning to compete again next year," said Howman, a 2011 Crestview High School graduate.

Chelsea Stephens, 18, and her brother Christian Stephens, 15, of Shiloh, asked the two pageant winners for their autographs.

"They're both so pretty," said Chelsea.

article source:http://www.lancastereaglegazette.com/article/20110620/NEWS01/106200307