ASHLAND — Two Miss Ohio veterans stole the show Wednesday during opening night of the annual competition.
Thursday was all about its rising stars.
Miss Lake Festival Mackenzie Harmer claimed a preliminary health and fitness award, while Lexie Miller, Miss South Central, earned a preliminary talent award with her performance of Aretha Franklin’s “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman.”
This year marks Harmer’s first time competing in the Miss Ohio competition. The 19-year-old previously participated twice in the Miss Ohio Teen event.
Harmer said she had her mother and sister to thank for helping her clinch the preliminary award Thursday.
“I would have never been able to achieve this award without them,” the St. Henry native said. “They have been acting as my personal trainers for a few months now and I’ve noticed extreme improvements.”
Currently attending Bowling Green State University, Harmer is studying fashion merchandising and product development. But why does she want to be Miss Ohio?
“I would love to make a positive influence on young girls’ lives. I would love to make people smile,” she said. “I would love to touch the lives of many.”
Miller sings her way to preliminary talent award
Every song Miller considered performing for this year’s talent portion of the Miss Ohio competition was used in some way throughout the event.
But the 23-year-old said she was happy she landed on the 1967 single from Franklin.
“I think that something that really spoke to me about that song in particular is feeling confident enough in yourself to just be the most natural version. That really spoke to me and that’s ultimately why I chose the song,” Miller said.
Currently a registered nurse in Columbus, the Newark native said her passion for singing was one of the main things that led her to participate in Miss Ohio. This marks her second year competing in the program.
She previously competed in the Miss Ohio Teen competition three or four times, she said.
Ashland a fitting host for 2026 competition
Miss Ohio week continues Friday evening at Archer Auditorium, 1440 King Road in Ashland, with the Miss Ohio Teen competition — which will begin at 7 p.m. The 2026 Miss Ohio winner will be crowned Saturday evening at 7 p.m.
Miss Ohio and Miss Ohio’s Teen contestants are competing in Ashland due to ongoing restoration work at The Renaissance Theatre in Mansfield — the event’s traditional host.
Contestants are being housed in dorms on the campus of Ashland University, which Harmer said has created a bonding opportunity.
“I just think it’s very special,” she said. “We all kind of gather around in the lobby late at night and just talk about how things went, talk about our days and laugh with each other.
“The quiet little moments like that definitely speak to me the most.”
State Rep. Melanie Miller (R-Ashland), who won the Miss Ohio crown 20 years ago in 2006 and was also the grand marshal of this year’s parade, served as Master of Ceremonies.
Below are photos from the 2026 Miss Ohio Competition on Thursday at Archer Auditorium. Credit: Hayden Gray
