ASHLAND – Miss Ohio has a new setting this year, but the same old excitement permeates north central Ohio as the event opened on Wednesday night.
While the Renaissance Theatre, the competition’s typical location, undergoes renovations, family, friends and fans of Miss Ohio and its 2026 contestants flocked to Archer Auditorium at Ashland High School.
The first preliminary round included 15 contestants. Thursday night will feature 15 more contestants. The competition’s panel of six judges tabulates the 10 highest scorers to advance. An 11th finalist is selected to move on by fan vote.
Opening night featured contestants competing in talent, health and fitness. Entrants then answered questions about their chosen community service initiative and offered the best advice they received as part of the evening gown segment.
Performances punctuated the evening with Miss Ohio singers and dancers entertaining guests between events.
Miss Ohio 2025 Olivia Fosson presented awards to the highest scorers in health and fitness, and talent. Miss Clayland Lucabella LaEace won health and fitness, and Miss Greater Columbus Caitlin Seifert took home the highest score for talent.
LaEace and Seifert continued their successful Miss Ohio runs. LaEace, a 22-year-old Cincinnati resident, completed a three-year sweep of the health and fitness award. Seifert, a 27-year-old Niles native, took her second consecutive talent award for baton twirling.
Preliminaries will continue Thursday at 7 p.m., followed by Miss Ohio’s Teen Competition Friday at the same time.
The Miss Ohio Finals will conclude competition Saturday at 7 p.m. After the winner is crowned at Archer Auditorium, the coronation party is slated for Ashland University’s Redwood Hall.
