Madeline Carter of Berea, Miss Clayland 2018, was named first runner-up. Gabby Bailey, of Dover, won a non-finalist talent award.
MANSFIELD Miss Maple City, Matti-Lynn Chrisman, of Cambridge, dazzled the judges and captured the Miss Ohio crown Saturday to advance to Miss America.
Madeline Carter of Berea, Miss Clayland 2018, was named first runner-up. She won a $4,000 scholarship for being first runner-up and $500 for the finalist interview award. With the $500 she received for the talent preliminary award on Friday and the Americanism Essay award she received on Thursday, she earned $5,250 competing at Miss Ohio, according to Martha Campbell, the Miss Clayland pageant director.
Gabby Bailey, of Dover, won a nonfinalist talent award.
Chrisman, 22, won the talent preliminary earlier in the pageant. This was her third time competing at Miss Ohio. She also competed three times in Miss Ohio's Outstanding Teen program.
For her talent, Chrisman sang, “Life of the Party,” from the Broadway musical "Wild Party." She said the song captures her fun personality on stage, and says she plans to perform the same song for Miss America.
Growing up, Chrisman was involved in dance and theater. She went on to star on stage at Kent State University in multiple theater productions, as well as being involved in ensemble and a cappella groups.
Chrisman has spent the past year as a local titleholder working with her personal platform, “Pain Isn't Always Obvious,” which focuses on ending the stigma on mental health and suicide prevention.
Chrisman wore a royal blue two-piece swimsuit with rhinestones for lifestyle and fitness, a purple bedazzled jumpsuit with a train for talent, a royal blue off-the-shoulder interview dress for on-stage question, and a teal gown with silver beading on top for evening gown.
Chrisman is a graduate of Kent State University with a degree in musical theater.
“I felt so at peace all week,” she said while addressing the reporters for the first time after her win.
Chrisman received a $10,000 scholarship, courtesy of the Natalie Ruth Plank Memorial Fund, as well as a 2017 Chevy Cruze to use during her reign, donated by Graham Chevrolet. Henri's Cloud Nine will be providing Chrisman with her entire Miss America wardrobe. Chrisman also won the Paul Herlihy Spirit award for a returning contestant.
Chrisman will go on to compete in the Miss America program Sept. 9.
Second runner-up was Hannah Zimmerman, 23, of Circleville, winning a $3,500 scholarship.
Third runner-up was Mara Mason, 21, of Columbus, winning a $3,000 scholarship.
Fourth runner-up was Rachel Spurling, 19, also of Columbus, winning a $2,500 scholarship.
The semifinalists included Gabrielle Payne, of Lake Milton; Lauren Beard, of Ontario; Rachel Gombosch, of Ontario; Grace Brown, of Heath; and Maribeth Tagg, of Ontario. Each semifinalist earned a $1,000 scholarship.
Carter was the People's Choice winner, taking home a $1,000 scholarship.
All non-finalists took home $600 scholarships.
Other award winners Saturday night were Mason, winning the classical performance award; Autumn Kessler, of Bethesda, earning the non-finalist interview award; Clista Hellwarth, of Celina, winning a non-finalist talent award; Monique Booher, of Sidney, grabbed the Miss American Community Service award. Beard also won the Miss America academic award, while Hellwarth took home the Paul Herlihy Spirit award for a new contestant.
The Miss Ohio Program awarded more than $46,000 in scholarships this year.
The Miss Ohio Organization is an official state preliminary competition to the Miss America Organization.
Chrisman's first official appearance was scheduled for Sunday at Richland Mall.
The next Miss Clayland competition will be Oct. 27.