Ohio Airman Battles for Miss Ohio Scholarship Title

The Exciting Journey of Staff Sgt. Grace Riegel in the Miss Ohio Pageant

As the echoing sound of cheers fills the auditorium, Staff Sgt. Grace Riegel, a Public Affairs Specialist at the 179th Cyberspace Wing in Mansfield, Ohio, gets ready to set foot on the stage for the Miss Ohio pageant. With just two months of intense preparation, she’s about to perform a self-written monologue, sharing her story in a moment she’ll cherish forever.

Representing the Rock & Roll City in Miss America Organization

During the past June, Riegel had the honor of representing Cleveland, Ohio as “Miss Rock & Roll City” in the state-level Miss America Organization competition. The prestigious contest consists of five crucial phases: private interview, on-stage question, health and fitness, talent, and evening gown.

Mission of Miss Ohio Scholarship Program

The Miss Ohio Scholarship Program is a nonprofit organization striving to empower young women to reach their personal and professional aspirations. It encourages them to express their intelligence, creativity, opinions, talents, and dedication to community service.

Riegel’s First Experience in the Pageant

Riegel expressed that participating in this program has been one of the most rewarding experiences she’s had. She relished competing in the pageant because it beautifully combined her passions, such as public speaking and community service. She also used her gift for performance and public speaking to aid in advocating for a cause.

Community Service Initiative: Spelling Out Dyslexia

Each competitor in the Miss America Organization has a Community Service Initiative (CSI). Riegel’s CSI, titled “Spelling Out Dyslexia”, aims to debunk myths and misconceptions about the learning disability. Diagnosed with dyslexia in the third grade, she learned how to work with her brain for her own success, rather than against it.

Pageant History and Future Plans

Before Miss Ohio, Riegel competed in various pageants, winning Miss Teen Blueberry at the Lexington Blueberry festival in 2016 and being crowned Miss Lexington in her high school’s beauty pageant in 2017. Later, she applied for the Miss America Organization state competition in April and had about two and a half months for preparation. Despite the short preparation period, Riegel managed to bag five scholarships totaling over $2,000. In the future, she hopes to compete again in the Miss America Organization to learn more and grow professionally.