Mrs. America Give Aways

As one of the Mrs. America traditions, each delegate brings an item from their home state to share with every lady.  This is such a fun way to learn a little something about each other's state.   This year Mrs. Ohio will be taking Cheryl's Cookies as her state gift.

If you would like a cookie or two.... check out http://www.cheryls.com

First Runner Up Starts Today

The annual Mrs. First Runner Up Competition is starting today at the Mrs. America Pageant website.
http://mrsamerica.com/?page_id=3039

Here is how the contest works and why we want your votes:

Listed on the Mrs. America website is photos of all the state first runner-up delegates.  One of these delegates will come and compete for the title of Mrs. America 2014 and is automatically a SEMI-FINALIST!  It is a dollar per vote and net proceeds goes to these charities:

Foundation for the Blind
Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Fund
MADD Mothers Against Drunk Drivers
National Association of battered Women
City of Hope - Pediatrics

Here is your First Runner Up - Mandi Brumfield

Follow the Pageant Events

We will be posting updates and sneak peaks during all the pageant on our Facebook Page.  Please connect and Like us at our Facebook Page:

www.Facebook.com/MrsOhioAmerica

You too can keep up with all the state finalists as they compete for the title of Mrs. Ohio 2014.

Happy and Healthy Holidays

Guest Blogger Sheri Engstrom-Rickard, Mrs. Colorado 2004, Holistic Health Coach

”It’s the most wonderful time of the year…”  As Andy Williams sings in this classical Christmas song.  I love this holiday season, the sight of lights decorating the city, the smells of cookies in the oven, the taste of eggnog, baked goods and all the fixings, the gathering of friends,  the sounds of Christmas music filling the air, and buying the perfect gift for that special someone.  The Holidays engage all my senses and I love participating in them all.  Along with the joy of the season also comes the reality of overindulgence.  We can get wrapped up in all the bliss and think, “I will just worry about it in January.”  But what if there is a way to maintain control, enjoy this time of year and enter the New Year with a jump start of health.  It is possible.  Here are 10 simple ways to have a healthier holiday, not miss out on the fun and enter 2014 with a bounce in your step.

Eat with intention!

Observe yourself and your eating habits.  Ask:  Why am I eating this?  Do I feel pressured to eat this?  Am I full?  Do I feel guilty if I don’t finish everything on my plate?  Think before putting anything in your mouth – do I REALLY want to eat this?  Pause and reflect and enjoy the company by engaging with them rather than the food.  If you are invited to a potluck holiday party make as many healthy options as possible to bring with you.  Or be the host of the holiday party and invite people to your home – you have more control as to what is served.  Give your friends a little challenge and ask them to bring a healthy appetizer or dish. 

Begin a journal about what foods you eat and how they make you feel.  When a food you eat doesn't make you feel well and effects your body and mood, it’s easier to stay away from. 

Enjoy your food! 

We all love to indulge in the wonderful foods that the holidays have to offer; by slowing down and eating with intention you can still have a taste of all the offerings and thoroughly enjoy each bite.  It takes at least 20 minutes for our brains to signal that we're actually full, which means a slow eater will consume fewer calories before feeling full than someone who races through their meal.  When you are sitting around the dinner table, take a moment to breath in deeply and look at the food you are about to eat, say a simple prayer of gratitude to yourself for the blessings of the meal.  In between bites, put your fork down and challenge yourself to chew 20 times before swallowing.  This is the first stage of digestion and you will notice that you can enjoy the food without stuffing yourself full.

Smaller frequent meals is key!

Remember, the holidays are not the time to lose weight but rather set the goal to maintain your weight.  At the beginning of your day, begin with some protein such as eggs, smoothie, yogurt, meat and veggies or nuts and seeds.  This will help boost your metabolism.   Eat smaller more frequent meals that are packed with dense foods like fruits and veggies before you head out to that party.  They are heavier and you will feel fuller and indulge less.  Be careful not to starve yourself before heading out to that party because you don’t want a “bloated” belly in your special dress!  If you fast it messes with your metabolism and you will have a tendency to overeat when you go out.  Eat small meals throughout day about 3 hours apart and make sure they are healthy options to counteract the goodies you may eat at your party. 

         

It’s OK to indulge (a bit)!

When looking at brain chemicals signaling "pleasure," scientists have found that we receive less pleasure the more we eat of a food. So rather than feeling like you must eat a full serving of every dessert at a holiday meal, take a bite or two and receive 90 percent of the pleasure with 10 percent of the calories.  If you are already eating healthy, a few days of indulging won’t set you back – it is the constant, every day indulging that can start packing on the pounds.  Remember, we tend to overindulge on the treats when we think we can only have them this time of year – have a few indulgences as you go along the year so you don’t feel deprived.  It’s a psychological game we play when we tell ourselves we can’t have something – that is all we ever keep thinking about!  Think of budgeting your calories and pleasures like you do your finances.  It takes a plan and discipline to stay on track. 

Watch those drinks!

Liquid calories can be a killer: alcohol, eggnog and those yummy coffee drinks.  Drinking alcohol can lower your threshold for eating healthy at a party.  You may walk in with the best of intentions but by having one to many drinks you begin to snack and binge on those unhealthy offerings, only to wake up the next morning with a headache and a stomachache.  When you go to your party or even at your own home have a plan.  Map out when you will eat those sweets, what you will drink and how much, and even which parties you will go to.  At your party or engagement have a glass of water before walking in, and have a glass of water in between each drink you consume.  Both alcohol and caffeine are very dehydrating, so bless your body with some water in between.  Going out to coffee with a friend on Friday?  Then hold off on other coffee indulgences until then.  Decide how many coffee drinks you will have in one week. 

Get in those Veggies!

As a healthy alternative to get in your veggies - make a Green Smoothie.  These are super easy, taste great and you will never know you are getting in a serving a vegetables.  In addition to getting your veggies through smoothies, you can also puree them and put them into pasta sauces, lasagnas, muffins, pancakes, cake (I made a yummy chocolate cake with zucchini – no one ever knew!)  There are many other options.  Amazing what you can do to incorporate more veggies into you and your families’ diet. 

Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate!

What else can I say – keep that water bottle close by and keep sipping throughout the day.  Your body needs half of its body weight in ounces.  I make it a goal to drink 100 ounces of water each day.  I keep a 20 ounce water bottle with me to keep it simple and easy to measure.  If water gets too bland, mix it up, add lemon, lime, mint, berries or cucumber to it.  I love adding 3-4 drops of doTERRA Lemon Essential oils to mine.  Spruces up the taste and cleanses my liver at the same time.  There are many ways to infuse your water with flavor.

Find some time to Work Out!

Do a light workout before your feast – but not an intense that will rev up your appetite and you may overeat instead.  After a big splurge, get up and workout the next day!  Stay consistent with workouts during the hustle and bustle of season.  Set some realistic goals and tell someone – you are more likely to follow through if you know someone is checking in on you.  Get creative and plan these days in at the beginning of each week.  You may not be motivated or feel like you have the time to work out during all the hustle and bustle of the season – but it is critical for your emotional and physical well-being.  Aim for 3-4 times per week for at least 30 min. or 3 10 minute sessions throughout your day.  Bundle up and get outdoors, sledding, playing with the kids, building a snowman or snow fort, tubing, skiing, ice skating, snowshoeing.  Sign up for a winter run to keep up your motivation.  Use shopping at the malls as a way to exercise – park far away from the stores, walk briskly when you can and bring healthy snacks to the mall.  Resist the temptation to let one month of bad choices derail you from 11 months of healthy decisions.

Nourish yourself!

This is a season of giving, but we must also remember to receive.  If you do not fuel up your tank, there will be nothing left and it can weaken your immune system.  Have grace with yourself if you find yourself overindulging.  If you have overeaten don’t fast the next day, just know every new day can bring about new changes – make healthier choices the next day.   By fasting you are more likely to binge on unhealthy alternatives.  Let go of the negative feelings and bashing yourself and move forward with the new day!  Find time in the hustle and bustle of the holidays to do something that nourishes your soul, a massage, a hot bath, a facial, a pedicure, a movie you want to watch with no kids, reading, whatever that joy is, schedule that into your day – you are worth it!

Be Generous!

I saved this for last because I truly believe this is the most important!  Generosity makes you healthier.  Being generous with a joyful heart has been proven to improve your immune system and extend your lifespan.  It reduces stress and gives us a sense of value and purpose.  When you are generous and grateful it releases endorphins in your body (otherwise known as the “feel good” chemicals) which dilates the blood vessel relaxes the heart.  Being generous gets the focus off ourselves and helps combat feelings of isolation and depression which can also be a struggle for many during the holiday season.  We cannot separate our body and mind and when we nurture both areas we become a more balanced being.  Being generous, eating healthy and exercise all can work beautifully together to combat the holiday blues if they begin to set in!

By planning ahead and setting intentions it is possible to enter 2014 with vibrancy and not one extra pound.  Surround yourself with healthy foods at home and remember to take a high protein snack with your when you head out to shop – it will hinder the temptation to grab a not so healthy option.  If you find yourself stuck for ideas – search the internet, ask some friends, pose the question on your FB wall, or hire a health coach.  Coaches like myself are great accountability partners to help you keep your goals and healthy lifestyle moving forward.  Happy and Healthy Holidays!

Written by:  Sheri Engstrom-Rickard, Mrs. Colorado 2004, Holistic Health Coach – Beautifully Designed Wellness

For more information or to contact Sheri call:  303-995-0511

Mrs. Ohio Favorite Things

I keep all my pageant girl make-up organized with this pretty pink Kaboodles organizer. With a hard shell case and a handle, it is easy to take you cosmetics with you wherever you do.

I love this Cheetah print, and animal prints are “in” this season. These shoes are so comfortable, and will keep you looking super cute while doing all those squats and lunges!

             

The bigger the lashes, the better in my opinion! This awesome mascara is what I use to make my lashes look longer and fuller.

   

My iPad mini is such a useful tool. I can take it with me wherever I go. I especially love using all the of applications that are available for my professional needs.

I really don’t like being cold, so this is one of the best gifts I have ever received! Turn it on half an hour before bedtime, and you can crawl into a warm and cozy bed. It comes with dual controls in case your hubby is always too warm like mine!

            

This smells incredible! I love to apply it followed by some warm and cozy pajamas.

A friend introduced me to pomegranate,  which I fell in love with. Dark chocolate makes it even more yummy.  This is a  great stocking stuffer.

  

I love BLING! I also love the feeling of being able to protect myself. Don’t be fooled by its girly appearance, this pepper spray packs a punch! Great gift for college girls.

  

The only thing shining this holiday season should be the lights on your tree, not your face. I love this high definition powder to keep my face from having that oily shine. Great for the pageant stage under the lights.

A new year, new goals and new you! I used these DVD’s to give me that lean physique for the pageant stage.  

Preconceived Obstacles

     Fear. It is what holds us in place, never moving forward, never trying anything new...and ultimately never growing or achieving that dream in our heart.
     There are some of you that have chosen to step out of your comfort zones and take a chance at the Mrs. Ohio title. But, there are some of you who are still sitting on the fence, so to speak. Your heart is telling you to "go for it!", your head is asking you, "are you crazy?". Let me tell you, I was there once. But I am so glad that I did not let the fear hold me back, and I kept pushing forward because being Mrs. Ohio is my dream come true!
     When we are considering something new, our mind will come up with a myriad of reasons why we can't take that first step. If you have read my biography on this website, you probably remember me listing a few of mine. As I have been speaking with some of you who are wavering between competing or watching from the audience, I have heard some of your preconceived obstacles for pursuing the Mrs. Ohio America title. In an attempt to help you, I would like to dispel some myths and hopefully put your preconceived obstacles to rest:

•  "I'm too short". There isn't a height requirement for pageantry. I am 5'3" and have placed before women much taller than me. At Mrs. America, I was one of the most petite (I prefer this word to "short" lol) contestants there, but I still placed in the top 15. And with my 5 inch heels, I appeared to be the same height as some of the other women. The judges are not looking for a short or tall queen. They want the total package...someone beautiful on the inside and out, someone people can relate to, and the person they feel would best represent the system. So, put on your high heels and go show them what you've got! 
• "I'm not in shape/I weigh too much". Yes, it is true that physical fitness is important when competing in a pageant, and it is taken into consideration on stage. But don't use this as an excuse not to compete. Instead, use it as inspiration! Start eating healthy and exercising early in the pageant year. What better to motivate you to shed those extra pounds and inches than to appear before hundreds of people in a bathing suit, or put on that beautiful fitted gown? Maybe you won't be exactly where you want when you compete, but working hard to accomplish a goal builds confidence. The pageant may be just the motivation you need to keep living a healthy lifestyle. Remember that the judges are not looking for a stick-thin runway model. They are looking for someone healthy and physically fit. They also know that this is a "Mrs." pageant, and many contestants have children. That is taken into consideration. So, use the pageant as a challenge to get in shape, and then get out there and show off that new body. (And don't worry about cellulite or stretch marks! I have them too!)
• "I'm too old".  There is no age limit in the Mrs. Ohio America pageant. In fact, there are 70 year old women who compete with confidence! If you watched the Mrs. America pageant, then you probably know that I was the oldest contestant in the top 15. Last year and the year before that, Mrs. America was in her 40's. Age is just a number. (And they say that 40 is the new 20!). 
• "I can't afford it". I'm not going to lie, pageantry can be an expensive hobby. But, you don't have to rob a bank, or refinance your house in order to compete. Ask your friends and family to sponsor you. Their financial contribution can help pay your entry fees or other pageant expenses. You also do not have to spend thousands on a gown. In fact, I beg you not to! Remember, it is the girl that makes the gown, not the other way around. You want them looking at you, your grace and your poise, not just staring at your dress. Borrow a gown from someone you know. If that is not an option, there are several websites that offer reasonably priced, previously worn gowns. Try Pageant Resale, or the Ms., Miss, and Mrs. Facebook page.This rule also applies to your interview attire, shoes, and anything else you may need.  I have been fortunate enough to find some really great pieces on these websites to add to my Mrs. Ohio wardrobe. 
• "I'm not pretty enough." Unfortunately, as women, that is a lie we often tell ourselves. We are bombarded by heavily airbrushed photos of beautiful women who appear to have no blemishes or wrinkles and who have amazing porcelain like skin with flawless make-up. Yes, it is a beauty pageant, and yes, facial beauty is taken into consideration. But, it is much more than that. Interview is 50% of your score, which means that your inner beauty is equally important. Have you ever met that person that you think is nice looking, but they become more beautiful after you get to know them? I have for sure. Their inner beauty and their heart transforms their outer appearance. Be confident and let your inner beauty do the same for you.
• "I have stage fright". Oh girl....let me tell you, I can relate to this one! I had a horrible case of stage fright. My eye would twitch, my lips would quiver, and my legs would shake. I would get chills, but my skin was clammy, and my heart would beat so hard I was sure the judges could hear it. One year, my legs shook so much that I stumbled a couple of times. But, every time I appeared on stage it got a little bit better, and now I am able to control those butterflies (they seemed like large-winged dragons before that!). It  helps to get out there an make appearances with your city or county titles. The more you are exposed to crowds, and people you don't know, the better it gets. My advice for stage fright? Feel the fear and do it anyway. Each time you do this, you are wiping out the fear bit by bit. Before you know it, you will be a pro!

I am hoping that I have covered most of the preconceived obstacles that are keeping you from realizing your dream of becoming Mrs. Ohio. Instead of thinking about all the reasons that you can't compete, start listing the reasons why you should. God put that dream in your heart for a reason. Follow it. You have nothing to lose and so much to gain!

Hugs to all of you,

Teri
Mrs. Ohio 2013


P.S. If I can answer any questions for you or help you in any way, please do not hesitate to contact me through my Facebook or Twitter account. :)

                                                                 Mrs. America Top 15

Tips for Halloween Costume Selection

Guest Blogger: Sharon Nuanes, Mrs. Colorado 1981 and Costume Designer

A few things to think are the following: Where is it going to be ( inside or outside, outside with the kids that fur rabbit costume will keep you warm), is there a theme at the event (Storm Troopers don't belong at the Renaissance), how long will I be in it (is it hot, claustrophobic, my niece wore a gunny sack over her head, creeped me out ), what will I be doing (can't dance in rubber duck feet, can't sit well in a Tin Man costume ), how can you eat or drink (it's no fun sticking a straw under a Darth Vader mask for your husband that doesn't want to break character), and you don't want to frighten little children (taking off your head when your cookie monster).

Once you've decided think about the total costume from head to toe. Think about shoes or foot covers. When I dressed in a rabbit suit for a preschool party a little girl cam up to me and said, "I know who you are your Heather's mom". I asked her how she knew. She said, "your wearing Heather's mom's shoes. Think about your head covering, does your costume fit through the door, will people be stepping on your costume if it extends out, do you want to wear make-up or a mask, do you have props to carry or keep track of (canes, chains, purse, staff, etc), do you have a pocket for your keys, money, id ( I try to put a hidden pocket in all my costumes just for keys), little details add a lot (period jewelry, gloves, hats).

Getting a costume early is great for adults because you can add to it as you see accessories. Kids are fickle they change their minds too quickly to buy too far ahead.

Shop Like A Deal Queen

By Guest Blog Contributor: Shalon Polson  Mrs. Colorado 2010 

My Mom raised me to shop for the deals, never pay full price.   School shopping at Mervyn’s was always a treasure hunt - I went to school dressed in the latest and greatest.   Sharing savings with others is a favorite thing to do – so listen up!

For you closet-savers, who wouldn't be caught dead in any store but Nordstroms, this is for you.

Nordstroms is notorious for their Half- Yearly events.  They actually want you to come and shop these sales; it helps clear their racks for the new items they are selling.  In fact they tell you when they will be held!  Go here to prove it! http://shop.nordstrom.com/c/frequently-asked-questions#salesevent

More reasons I LOVE Nordstroms? 

Customer Service is worth its weight in gold.  To me, it ranks up there with the dollar saved.  Returns are always welcomed.  No kidding! I have a friend who wore shoes for two full seasons, wore the soles off the shoes- she returned the very used shoes to Nordies and they happily gave her an in-store credit. Please! Do not misunderstand me here.  I’m not advocating taking advantage of their kindness, just a story to show how AWESOME they are.  If your item goes on sale, call their 800#, they will credit your card the difference.  If the price goes down more??  Call them again, they will give you the difference!! Shopping Nordstrom online is also a great idea - shipping is free! Free. Even the return shipping is free! 

Which leads me to my equally favorite place to shop – ONLINE!!  I’m not talking about just randomly searching via google shop for the best deals, which is great for some.  Oh no!   I shop Ideeli.  And those who know me will tell you – 90% of what I wear comes from them. 

Ideeli is the first site I check – every morning. I kid you not. Some mornings – I beeline it to the computer before I even step foot in front of my coffee pot and click on my Ideeli bookmark.  I go online, pick out my favorite items and wait for the sale to start.  9:00 am sometimes takes FOREVER to come.   Ideeli is all about saving you money! Every item on there is reduced and by a lot!!  They often have special RED sales or Hurry Before it’s Gone sales and those are my favorite!  The year I gave up my title, for preliminary pageant evening event, I wore a $150 dress I stole on Ideeli for $30. Love that!  Anyone can become a member of the site.  I upgraded for a quarterly fee to be First in Line for the sales, I love being first in line for anything.  It gets me in trouble sometimes, especially in the car…  The low quarterly fee is more than worth it for me, it saves me from hitting the mall and spending more money on things that deter me from my shopping mission.  Ideeli is awesome about returns and they actually pay you when you get your friends to buy from them. Each buddy of yours who buys – gets you $25! www.ideeli.com/invite/shalonp

Target has forever been a close friend to me.  Shopping  at Targe` (Tar-jay)  is like going home to me.  I can literally remember buying my first sparkle lame` (la-may) swimming suit there. My mom tried so hard to talk her sweet 4 – year- old into a super cute, age appropriate, dull material number no doubt all my friends would be sporting.  I had none of that. I was all sparkle and bling at birth. 

Shopping the end-caps at Target can be the equivalent to finding a buried treasure!  I love searching the reddish tags to see just how little I’ll be paying.  But here’s the thing! I’m super competitive.  If I’m going to save, I want it to be the most savings possible and Target is known to take some time before they hit the bottom line.  So here’s how you know when the time is right to buy at Target: 

-          Read the tag. If it ends in an 8, wait!  If it ends in a 4, score! It’s that simple. A 4 means it’s been lowered to the lowest price.  Shop with a Red Card.  You save 5% on each purchase. Where I live, that covers sales tax! Love that.   Know the markdown schedule:

o   Monday – Kid’s clothing, Stationary and Electronics

o   Tuesday- Women’s clothing and Domestics

o   Wednesday- Men’s clothing, Toys, Health and Beauty.

o   Thursday- Lingerie,  Shoes, Housewares

o   Friday- Cosmetics

I utilize these tips to keep my costs down.  Maneuvering a family budget can be tricky, but remembering these tried and true shopping tips will help keep your pocket book and your closets full!

The Mrs. America Pageant

Hi all!

This is going to be a loonngg blog post, so grab a cup of coffee, a soda, or a pizza and join me! :)

     What an utterly exhausting and exhilarating last ten days I have had! I am so happy to be back in the comfort of my own home, and back with my family, but I'm not going to lie, I miss my girlfriends (and being treated like royalty! lol). After you spend ten days with women who are not only beautiful, but supportive, uplifting and fun, you are bound to miss them. I have 51 new friends, and I couldn't be more excited. I am looking forward to going to visit some of them in their home states, and I have already decided that I WILL be at Mrs. America next year. It will be a fabulous reunion with members of my class, and I want to be there for the next Mrs. Ohio!

     The entire pageant experience was such an adventure. I got off the airplane, and was greeted by cameras and videographers. I felt like a celebrity! Those cameras remained throughout the week to capture every event and record the memories. On day 1, we arrived at the resort, got settled in our rooms, and met some fellow contestants. That night we had an orientation dinner where we dressed up in evening gowns and met all the staff members, and introduced ourselves. There were some pretty humorous moments...like when Mrs. Nebraska said that her and her husband like to joke that being married to each other feels like ten minutes.....under water! :) I received a very beautiful Mary Frances evening purse that night from Elaine Marmel for not giving up on my dream of being Mrs. Ohio and competing 5 times. Day 2 was spent touring old Tucson, complete with pink cowboy hats. We had a ton of fun that day! I hope you all have seen the pictures and videos. If not, please check out my Mrs.Ohio America 2013 Facebook page, the Mrs. Ohio America Pageant Facebook page, and also the Mrs. America website! Other activities that we participated in were going to a downtown café where we presented the mayor of Tucson with a gift from our state, a cocktail dinner in the Marmel's suite where we presented the hotel manager our state gifts, and seminars provided by Vault Denim, the major sponsor of the Mrs. America pageant this year. We even received 2 free pairs of jeans, and their full skin care line...and it's all awesome! We also had a contestant gift exchange one night at rehearsals. Imagine all the loot from 51 other contestants! The remainder of the time was mainly spent rehearsing with Frit and Frat, the choreographers of the pageant. They are hilarious!! And, even if you have two left feet (I'm fortunate that I don't!), they will make you shine! Rehearsals are exhausting...but also a lot of fun and great bonding time with the other ladies.

     The preliminary and final competitions were just incredible. I cannot even accurately describe the atmosphere! The best description would be that it reminds you of what the feeling is like for the Emmy's, Oscars, Academy Awards or something like that. DeAnna Holliday, Mrs. Ohio America 2012 told me that when you get out to Mrs. America, that is when you really realize what you have accomplished, and it's so true! Even my husband made the comment that he didn't realize what a big deal this was until he got there to see it all, and when he did, he realized that being Mrs. Ohio America is a HUGE achievement. These women are all so beautiful, smart, accomplished, committed, and compassionate. And, I am one of them! It was an honor to be among them, and to be able to stand on that stage as the representative of my state. I was blessed enough to make the top 15 (that was a big goal of mine), and I couldn't be happier! Someone asked me if I was disappointed that I didn't go further...my honest answer...no! I believe that God set this journey in motion. I became Mrs. Ohio America at just the right time in my life, and if it was my time to be Mrs. America, that would have happened as well. Yes, it would have been awesome to be Mrs. America...but I believe that God has a different path for me, AND I believe that He chose the right woman to represent all of us. Just a few moments with Austen (Mrs. Texas) would leave you feeling the same! I cannot wait to see her represent our nation in China at Mrs. World. I am so proud of who she is as a woman, wife and mother, and I think it is so incredible that she is making history as the very first African American Mrs. America...the same year as the 50th anniversary of the Martin Luther King speech!! How cool is that?!

     To wrap this all up, I am excited to represent my state for the remainder of the year and look forward to all the opportunities that come my way. There are some of you reading this who have considered competing in this pageant, but have let fear or insecurity hold you back. I am telling you to take a leap of faith and do it. There are some of you reading this who have competed before (maybe more than once) and have been disappointed, and maybe even felt devastated. Don't give up. It took me 5 times! Your time may be coming. Do what it takes to improve. Believe that you have everything it takes to hold this title. Surround yourself with people who support you, believe in you and want to see you excel. Back away from those who are negative or want to squash your dream. Dreams are placed in our heart for a reason. I am willing to help you in any way I can. Please don't hesitate to contact me and we can talk it over.  And, don't let anyone steal your sparkle!! :)

Much Love,

Teri
Mrs. Ohio America 2013

Time to Vote

The Second Annual Fabulous Faces Contest voting has begun at the Mrs. America website - www.mrsamerica.com.  You can vote your Mrs. Ohio America 2013, Teri Grothaus right into the semi-finalists with your votes.  All proceeds raised from the Fabulous Faces goes towards women charities.

This year, Mrs. America introduced a special twist where you can vote one first runner-up from all the state pageants into the Mrs. America pageant.  The 1st Runner Up for Mrs. Ohio is Katie Grace Kissel.  She is vying for the coveted 1st Runner Up Contest taking place online now. 

Photo for Mrs. America Website

This is the photo that will be going up on the Mrs. America website. I am so excited!! Many thanks to Rick Martinez, Studio RM photography for making me look fabulous!

Mrs. Ohio America 2013 - Teri Grothaus

Congratulations to Teri Grothaus who has captured the title of Mrs. Ohio America 2013!

2013 Mrs. Ohio America Talent

Morgan Maranto is a 18 year singer from Dublin, Ohio and her greatest passion is singing. Morgan has been singing since she was seven.  She loves to sing Country, Rockabilly, Jazz, and Broadway. Morgan performs throughout Ohio and has been the entertainer for the Mrs. Ohio America Pageant since she was eight years old.  Morgan loves to play guitar and has recently started writing lyrics. Morgan would love to be a female singer in a country band.  Morgan plans to major in Musical Theater in college this fall.  She also would like to be a Country recording artist. She is just excited to see what God has in store because she knows his plan for her will be great.

Melanie Miller - A singer, dancer and inspirational speaker, Melanie has spent the last several years criss-crossing the state of Ohio sharing her talents with people of all ages. A former professional NBA dancer for the Cleveland Cavaliers, Melanie was crowned Miss Ohio 2006, and represented Ohio at the 2007 Miss America Pageant. In 2011, Melanie was crowned Mrs. Ohio.  Melanie currently serves as the Youth Ministries Director for The Salvation Army Ray & Joan Kroc Corps Community Center in Ashland where she works with teens as they navigate the challenges of adolescence.  Melanie has a B.A. in Digital Media & Film Production and a minor in Journalism from Cleveland State University. Melanie and her husband Matt live in Ashland, Ohio. Melanie's personal motto is "Never Settle for Less Than Your Best."

Blessid Union of Souls - From meteoric rise on the radio throughout the 1990s, through the subsequent decade of thought-provoking songwriting and amassing an extremely dedicated fan base on tour, Blessid Union of Souls has become amongst the most beloved, meaningful and musically consistent acts of this generation.  Thanks to the seamless merger of contagious pop, rock and soul from singer Eliot Sloan, coupled with his ability to continuously write socially conscious and spiritually inspiring songs, it’s no surprise to see gold records, chart-cruising singles and a slew of soundtrack appearances.  Sloan’s remarkably humble demeanor is rare for someone who’s shared the stage with superstar acts like Bon Jovi, Goo Goo Dolls, Third Eye Blind and Mike & the Mechanics (not to mention headlined major venues all across the globe), but the attitude stems from a lifelong Christian faith that’s repeatedly made its way into Blessid Union of Souls’ songwriting.  And when he speaks of hitting the studio and road these days, it’s all revolving around the brand new CD The Mission Field, which takes a spiritually overt direction while retaining the signature qualities that have literally attracted millions of fans over the years.  The next single, “Pray for You’ will be released on July 15.

Sponsors, Sponsors and Sponsors

 As we get closer to crowning the next Mrs. Ohio America later this month, we would like to take this opportunity to thank some of our sponsors.