Caitlin Seifert named Miss Clayland 2023
Caitlin Seifert
Caitlin Seifert, 24, of Niles was named Miss Clayland 2023 at the annual pageant held Oct. 15 at Claymont High School in Uhrichsville. Seifert wowed the judges and the audience with her baton routine to the song, "River Deep, Mountain High," by Tina Turner.
Seifert is a graduate of Kent State University, and her platform is Turn a Key: Opening the Door to Volunteering.
The Miss Clayland Scholarship Program is a preliminary pageant of the Miss Ohio and Miss America programs.
Marina DeNunzio, 20, of Shaker Heights was the first runner-up. She is a student at the Ohio State University, and her platform is Project Fearless Ohio — ending relationship abuse and empowering healthy relationships.
This was the fourth time Seifert had participated in the Miss Clayland pageant, which has a reputation of helping their winners grow and succeed.
“It is so surreal. I've always dreamed about being Miss Clayland,” Seifert said. “I was hopeful. I had a really great day today, but you never know what the judges are looking for, how it's going to go. I'm so excited for my year.”
The girls each had about a 10-minute interview with the judges the morning of the pageant.
“I got asked about everything. We talked about my community service that I've already participated in, what I would love to be able to do as Miss Clayland,” Seifert said. “We talked a lot about how I have a degree in fashion and what I think the fashion industry is going into and how I think that can be worked around with all of the environmental issues.”
Seifert holds a degree in fashion merchandising and also has completed her MBA.
Seifert has been twirling the baton since she was a child.
“It's a fun talent. It's really upbeat,” Seifert said.
She already has a few goals as Miss Clayland.
“I would love to not only grow the program, get more girls involved, but also grow the scholarship money, reach out into the community a lot more. I know there's a lot of community engagement already, but coming from a small-town community, I'd love to be able to bring my small-town goals to their small town.”
The new Miss Clayland spoke about her platform during the pageant.
“Turn a Key allows children to explore volunteering in unique and creative ways,” Seifert said. “Personally, I've shown my commitment to community service by partnering with key clubs, by creating and funding a local scholarship for young women to pursue their educational dreams and I plan to do so much more.”
With teens having so many different commitments, Seifert would encourage them to follow their interests.
“Community service and volunteering isn't something that has to take a lot of time. I always encourage people to volunteer in ways they are already participating. So if you'd like to do sports, you can volunteer at a basketball game, taking tickets or running a concession stand. If you'd like outdoors, pick up a few pieces of trash every day that you see or plant some flowers in your local neighborhood,” Seifert said. “Volunteering isn't about the quantity of it. It's about the quality.”
In addition to the title, the candidates competed for $4,600 in cash scholarships, a $500 scholarship to Kent State Tuscarawas and the opportunity to represent Tuscarawas County at the Miss Ohio Competition in June.
Miss Clayland 2023 received a $2,800 scholarship in addition to a $500 scholarship from Kent State University at Tuscarawas. Seifert also received an additional $250 as the winner of the Ray King Talent Award and $50 as the winner of the new Random Acts of Kindness award created by outgoing Miss Clayland Emma Rose Lewis.
The first runner-up received a $500 scholarship. Emily Legenza won the Community Service Award of $250, which was presented in memory of Dr. Dan Peck, former donor and producer, and Carolyn Williams, former hostess and fundraiser of the Miss Clayland Scholarship Program.
Former Miss Clayland 2013, Mackenzie Bart, who now works as a meteorologist at Channel 8 in Cleveland, served as head judge. Serving as judges were Michele Spring, Paula Santa, Genaro DeMonte and Gina Space.
Others participating included the following:
—Emily Legenza, 24, a vocalist from Athens. She is a graduate of Ohio University, and her social impact initiative is Teaching Gratitude.
—Lynsey Stonebraker, 20, a speed painter from Coshocton. She is a student at Mount Vernon Nazarene University, and her social impact initiative is Mentoring America Mission.
—Autumn Abdullah, 20, a baton twirler from Warren. She is a student from Kent State University at Trumbull, and her social impact initiative is Women’s Awareness and Volunteering.
—Piper Lambert, 18, a vocalist from East Palestine. She is a student at Youngstown State University, and her social impact initiative is Encouraging Community Enrichment and Service.
The mistress of ceremonies for the 66th Miss Clayland Competition was Caroline Grace Williams, Miss Ohio 2019-20. Emma Rose Lewis, Miss Clayland 2022, performed and did numerous costume changes throughout the night.
Lewis also started a legacy scholarship fund to add more scholarship dollars for pageant participants. She encouraged any former Miss Clayland to participate. While in town for her final days as Miss Clayland, Lewis also visited several sponsors to thank them for their support.