MANSFIELD — Caitlin Seifert’s joyful triumph was undeniable Thursday night.
The Niles native clinched a preliminary talent award with her baton twirling routine to “Don’t Stop Me Now” during the first night of the Miss Ohio 2025 competition.
“It feels so amazing. I’ve been competing for a long time and this is my first time winning talent as a preliminary winner,” Seifert said during an interview posted on the Miss Ohio Instagram account.
Seifert, a 26-year-old from Niles, is competing as Miss Central Ohio. Her community service initiative, Turn a Key: Opening the Door to Volunteering, focuses on promoting volunteerism.
Miss Northern Ohio Lucabella LaEace took the preliminary health and fitness award.
Health and fitness replaced the swimsuit portion of the competition, which halted in 2019 after Miss America announced changes in the national competition.
“I am ecstatic and so incredibly blessed,” LaEace said. “I’m a future nurse as well as a certified pilates instructor, so being able to showcase how I live my life as Miss America Fit and to take home the preliminary award is such an honor.”
LaEace also won a preliminary health and fitness award last year. The 21-year-old Cincinnati resident’s community service initiative is Ending the Silence Surrounding Suicide.
Both women were semifinalists in last year’s Miss Ohio competition.
Miss Ohio 2025 competition schedule
Thursday: The first preliminary night included talent and on-stage conversation for the Scarlet flight (contestants 1-14). Contestants in the Grey flight competed in the health & fitness and the evening gown Competition.
Friday: The second preliminary night included talent and on-stage conversation for the Grey flight and health & fitness and the evening gown competition for the Scarlet flight.
Saturday: Ten semifinalists will re-compete for the title of Miss Ohio 2025.
Seifert and LaEace both received $500 scholarships as preliminary winners.
Miss Greater Columbus Olivia Jarrell received the $250 Spirit of the Pines scholarship, which honors a contestant who embodies the spirit of the Miss America program. The winner is elected by her fellow contestants.
Miss Chillicothe Madalynn Anderson and Miss Lake Festival Maleah Lee each received a $250 scholarship for their Americanism essay.
Lee and Miss Marion Popcorn Festival Kalli Gregory each received a $250 scholarship for the Community Service essay.
