The YSU graduate will represent Ohio in the Miss America Pageant.

The YSU graduate will represent Ohio in the Miss America Pageant.
MANSFIELD -- A Warren woman is on her way to compete in the Miss America pageant after being crowned Miss Ohio 2004 Saturday at the Renaissance Theater.
Shortly after being crowned, Amanda Beagle, 24, said the moment was a little surreal.
"It's just such an accomplishment," she said. "It's such an amazing milestone in my life."
Background
A graduate of Youngstown State University and the Cleveland Institute of Music, Beagle holds undergraduate and master's degrees in vocal performance.
Beagle, daughter of Gerald and Marie Beagle, competed as Miss Lake Erie. Her platform is SMARTS: Students Motivated by the Arts -- "Providing quality after-school, weekend, and summer arts programming for at-risk youth. Literacy is at the core of the SMARTS mission."
Beagle has been working for SMARTS at YSU for five years and said she hopes to promote the program as a model across the state and nation "to make a difference for inner-city youth."
"Almost five years ago I started working with my students at SMARTS," she said. "Seeing them reach their dreams is just a wonderful accomplishment. I feel working with them I can make a difference."
During the talent phase of the competition, Beagle sang "Quando M'en Vo." She has been singing since she was age 2.
She said she's come a long way since her first local competition years ago.
"It certainly has been an incredible struggle to reach that confidence to believe I can be Miss Ohio," she said. "That's one thing the Miss America program gives you."
Third time
This was Beagle's third time competing in the contest. She was first runnerup last year. Because of age requirements, this year was her final chance.
"It was all or nothing," she said.
Beagle receives a $15,000 scholarship, sponsored by Newman Technology, Steve Cobb's Weidner Motors and Stockbridge Dealer Services and Sprint.
She represents Ohio in the Miss America pageant in Atlantic City in September.