Winning isn't everything
Locals come close to crowns at Miss Ohio, Pure competitions
Karolina Ulasevich (left) earned runner-up to Sarah Clapper (right) who was crowned the new Miss Ohio, but Karolina couldn’t be happier with her performance and said she gained much more than a crown. Submitted photos
NORTH ROYALTON – In life, winning doesn’t always end with a trophy, or in this case, a crown.
The women who represented North Royalton did extremely well, with almost all securing runner-up titles, but ask them and they’ll tell you, it’s not all about winning. Victory comes in other forms.
Each say they have walked away with once-in-a-lifetime experiences, some college money and skills that cannot be earned just anywhere.
Karolina Ulasevich, 22, and Stephanie Shoop, 24, both competed for the Miss Ohio title June 17 along with 17 others. The crown went to Sarah Clapper.
Ulasevich has taken second runner-up in her two other Miss Ohio pageants. In this, her last Miss Ohio appearance, she secured first runner-up, along with the Overall Interview Award, Americanism Award, the Miss Ohio Community Service Award and the Miss America Community Service Award from the CEO of the Miss America Organization, Sam Haskell.
“I’ve always said that this award means more to me than any crown ever will,” she said of the latter, “and it was a privilege to have shaken his hand.”
She also walked away with $6,550 in scholarship dollars, for a total of $22,000 from her past Miss Ohio Scholarship Program pursuits.
“There is no interview that I fear, no performance that intimidates me and no goal that is too high thanks to the confidence the Miss Ohio Scholarship Program has instilled in me,” Ulasevich said.
Shoop did not make the finals, but she did walk away with a $700 scholarship. She said this experience was like no other.
“Obviously, the goal was to walk away with the title, but we each walked away with something much more than that. We created lifelong friendships, promoted our own platforms and lived out the motto of the Miss Ohio crew, making memories and having fun. This journey, the people I met, and stories I created will be cherished forever,” Shoop said.
Emily Fowler, 16, secured second runner-up for the Miss Ohio Outstanding Teen, the teen version of Miss Ohio, on June 14. There were 15 contestants.
Fowler said she had an amazing time and the girls have talked almost every day since the pageant. She recommends this stage to any teen girl and will definitely be back.
“It’s all about cherishing yourself and each other, not worrying who is doing better because we know that we are all in the same spot. We became a team throughout the week, and we pushed each other lovingly to have more energy and fun. I actually developed an amazing relationship with Gracie (Fusco), Miss Ohio Outstanding Teen 2017, through the week, and when she was crowned, we all were just so happy for her,” she said.
Symonne Harrison, 11, the reigning North Royalton Sweetheart and Miss Ohio Preteen, also did well at her first time at nationals through Pure Pageants representing Ohio in the Miss Preteen America pageant in Florida. She secured first runner-up and earned Best Interview, Best Actress, Best Spokesmodel and Super Optional Champ in her division.
She is determined to go back and win the whole thing next year.
“I really loved the experience of competing on a national level. I made many new friends from across the country and had a ton of fun all week! I loved being on stage, competing with the best of the best at the national pageant and proudly representing Ohio. Winning first runner-up for PreTeen America was really exciting, but I am going back to win it next year!” Harrison said.
The women who represented North Royalton did extremely well, with almost all securing runner-up titles, but ask them and they’ll tell you, it’s not all about winning. Victory comes in other forms.
Each say they have walked away with once-in-a-lifetime experiences, some college money and skills that cannot be earned just anywhere.
Karolina Ulasevich, 22, and Stephanie Shoop, 24, both competed for the Miss Ohio title June 17 along with 17 others. The crown went to Sarah Clapper.
Ulasevich has taken second runner-up in her two other Miss Ohio pageants. In this, her last Miss Ohio appearance, she secured first runner-up, along with the Overall Interview Award, Americanism Award, the Miss Ohio Community Service Award and the Miss America Community Service Award from the CEO of the Miss America Organization, Sam Haskell.
“I’ve always said that this award means more to me than any crown ever will,” she said of the latter, “and it was a privilege to have shaken his hand.”
She also walked away with $6,550 in scholarship dollars, for a total of $22,000 from her past Miss Ohio Scholarship Program pursuits.
“There is no interview that I fear, no performance that intimidates me and no goal that is too high thanks to the confidence the Miss Ohio Scholarship Program has instilled in me,” Ulasevich said.
Shoop did not make the finals, but she did walk away with a $700 scholarship. She said this experience was like no other.
“Obviously, the goal was to walk away with the title, but we each walked away with something much more than that. We created lifelong friendships, promoted our own platforms and lived out the motto of the Miss Ohio crew, making memories and having fun. This journey, the people I met, and stories I created will be cherished forever,” Shoop said.
Emily Fowler, 16, secured second runner-up for the Miss Ohio Outstanding Teen, the teen version of Miss Ohio, on June 14. There were 15 contestants.
Fowler said she had an amazing time and the girls have talked almost every day since the pageant. She recommends this stage to any teen girl and will definitely be back.
“It’s all about cherishing yourself and each other, not worrying who is doing better because we know that we are all in the same spot. We became a team throughout the week, and we pushed each other lovingly to have more energy and fun. I actually developed an amazing relationship with Gracie (Fusco), Miss Ohio Outstanding Teen 2017, through the week, and when she was crowned, we all were just so happy for her,” she said.
Symonne Harrison, 11, the reigning North Royalton Sweetheart and Miss Ohio Preteen, also did well at her first time at nationals through Pure Pageants representing Ohio in the Miss Preteen America pageant in Florida. She secured first runner-up and earned Best Interview, Best Actress, Best Spokesmodel and Super Optional Champ in her division.
She is determined to go back and win the whole thing next year.
“I really loved the experience of competing on a national level. I made many new friends from across the country and had a ton of fun all week! I loved being on stage, competing with the best of the best at the national pageant and proudly representing Ohio. Winning first runner-up for PreTeen America was really exciting, but I am going back to win it next year!” Harrison said.