ASHLAND — Cecily Esterline claimed the spotlight Friday night, earning the Miss Ohio’s Teen crown.
Representing Miss Shawnee’s Teen, the Circleville resident emerged from 17 contestants competing for the title. Esterline will represent Ohio in Miss America’s Teen competition.
“I’m still in shock, I can’t believe it,” Esterline said moments after winning the crown.
Esterline also earned the talent award for her dance performance to Mariah Carey’s song, “Hero.” She said the performance honored veterans for America’s 250th anniversary.
Miss Ohio’s Teen 2025, Ali Payton, passed on her crown, but not before a word of advice to the contestants this year.
“Say yes to everything possible,” Payton said.
“Just like Ali said, ‘say yes to everything,’ and take every chance. I almost didn’t compete this year and I took the chance, and I said yes,” Esterline said.
Esterline’s community service initiative, Boots to Bravery: Supporting and Honoring Our Nation’s Heroes, was inspired by her grandfather, a Vietnam War veteran. Her passion for supporting veterans began in Girl Scouts, where she helped send cookies to service members overseas.
Esterline has danced for 13 years and has been dancing competitively for the past 10 years. She dances at Passe Dance Center in Pickerington, Ohio. She is a senior at Ohio Connections Academy and a College Credit Plus student at Southern State Community College.
Miss Ohio is typically at the Renaissance Theatre in Mansfield. This year’s competition took place at Archer Auditorium in Ashland while the theater undergoes seating renovations.
The 2026 Miss Ohio competition concludes Saturday with the crowning of Miss Ohio at 7 p.m. at Archer Auditorium. Miss Ohio week wraps up Sunday with the Coronation Party at Ashland University’s Redwood Hall.
Winner: Cicely Esterline, Miss Shawnee’s Teen
First runner-up: Katherine Green, Miss Chillicothe’s Teen
Second runner-up: Lexie Claxon, Miss Portsmouth’s Teen
Third runner-up: Lindi Flaig, Miss Columbia Homecoming’s Teen
Fourth runner-up: Clair Kuehne, Miss Lake Festival’s Teen
Interview Award: Katherine Green, Miss Chillicothe’s Teen
Spirit Award: Lindi Flaig, Miss Columbia Homecoming’s Teen
Talent Award: Cicely Esterline, Miss Shawnee’s Teen
