Waterman is crowned Miss Clayland 2010
Heather Waterman, 22, of Celina, is hoping three is her lucky number. Waterman was crowned Miss Clayland 2010 at Claymont High School at the 54th pageant held on Saturday, Oct. 17.The contest marked the third pageant she’s won and the third time she was crowned by former Miss Clayland 2009 and current Miss Ohio, Erica Gelhaus. Both previously held the titles of Miss Lake Festival and Miss Northwestern.
Waterman hopes to follow in Gelhaus’ footsteps to become the third consecutive Miss Clayland to win the state title.
“I’m excited and happy. I want to work really hard. I have a great crew behind me and it will be an exciting adventure,” said Waterman.
The Miss Ohio wins started with Clarissa Martin of Woodsfield, Miss Clayland 2008. Gelhaus will compete early next year for the title of Miss America.
Waterman sang There You’ll Be, from the movie Pearl Harbor, for the talent portion of the competition. Her platform is Ready, Set, Motivate.
“I wanted to bring my platform to this area and the state,” said Waterman, of her reasons for entering the Miss Clayland pageant. “I talk about goal setting to adults and young people.”
As the new Miss Clayland, Waterman will receive $1,230 in scholarship money and a $500 scholarship to Kent State University Tuscarawas. She received an additional $400 by winning both the Interview Award and the Ray King Talent Award.
“The scholarships are really helpful with school. I have a Bachelor in Business Marketing and will be starting my Masters in Business Education,” said Waterhouse, a graduate of Wright State University.
First runner-up was Kristy Moneysmith, 20, of Union City, who attends Ball State University. Moneysmith’s platform is Mentoring through Leadership and Role Modeling. She sang When a Man Loves a Woman for the talent competition. Moneysmith was awarded a $300 scholarship.
Sherry El Sakr, 23, of Strongsville, a graduate of Cleveland State University, won a $200 scholarship when she was named second runner-up. El Sakr performed Canon in D, a popular song for weddings, on the piano. Her platform is Heart 101: Promoting Heart Healthy Lifestyles in our Children.
Local contestant Danielle Henry, 20, of Stone Creek, won the Community Service Award for her work related to her platform, Being a Cancer Advocate – Speak Up! She will receive a $150 scholarship for the award.
Henry presented a crowd-pleasing, self-choreographed dance routine to the song Walking in Memphis for the talent competition. For the impromptu question portion, Henry demonstrated poise as she spoke on the pro’s and con’s of allowing casinos in Ohio.
The other contestants were Ashley Bowman, 19, of Canton and Samantha Hartings, 19, of Coldwater. A $150 scholarship was given to each non-finalist.
In keeping with the event’s theme – Return to the Seventies, groovy is the only word to describe the entertainment featured between each portion of the pageant. Vocalist Clara Pearch, of Uhrichsville, performed Dancing Queen by Abba and accompanied herself on the piano to Imagine by John Lennon.
Gelhaus performed several numbers, including Evergreen from A Star is Born and The Way We Were, both made popular by Barbara Streisand. Clarissa Martin, Miss Clayland 2008 and Miss Ohio 2008, performed the Star Spangled Banner at the beginning of the event and later sang The Hills are Alive from the musical The Sound of Music.
The sets featured artwork of disco dancers with a psychedelic backdrop and a 70s prom theme complete with colorful crepe paper streamers and tissue paper flowers.
Scott Robinson, director of the Tuscarawas County United Way, served as master of ceremonies. Pageant judges were Scott Spinner, Eric Rathburn, Chris Keppler, Julie Pearch, Roni Peterson, and Joanne St. Clair.