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Austintown Fitch student competes in Miss Teen Ohio USA pageant
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By TIM CLEVELAND
Nicole Sherb never thought she would compete in a beauty pageant. The Austintown Fitch High School junior was content dancing and preparing for life after high school when she was encouraged to give it a try by her dance instructor and owner of Stage Left Dance & Theater Academy, Kimberly Lisowski, who competed in the 1992 Miss Ohio USA pageant.
“At first I was somewhat reluctant, but this past August I was at the Southern Park Mall and saw a sign for a local pageant called Sunburst and decided to try it and see if I like it,” Sherb said. “I am always open to new experiences and was raised with an attitude that you can not dismiss something before you even try it.”
The experience went well enough that Sherb competed in the Miss Teen Ohio USA pageant on Nov. 8-9 Portsmouth. The contest is part of Donald Trump’s Proctor Productions, which owns the Miss Universe and Miss USA pageants.
Sherb was among the top 15 semifinalists out of 64 competitors, but did not make the top five.
“I was so happy when I heard my name [as a semifinalist],” she said. “Qualifying as a semifinalist in such a big event, for me without much experience, was truly an honor.
“I did not get top five, but I was OK with it. I placed in the semifinals as a rookie, won a $29,600 scholarship, got an exquisite solid glass trophy and had an amazing time.”
Sherb said she was able to enter the contest right before the deadline.
“In October my mom got an e-mail from one of the recruiters from Miss Teen Ohio USA with information on how to apply for it,” she said. “It was very close to deadline, but the lure of a great scholarship opportunity was a deciding factor. I sent my application together with a random snap shot picture. A few days later I got an e-mail congratulating me as a contestant for Miss Teen Ohio USA 2015.
“I was trilled and somewhat nervous considering that I had very little experience in the world of pageantry, but decided that if I was going to do this I will give it my best.”
Sherb was asked about the preparations she went through to compete.
“I started eating better, working out a lot more and practicing my on stage walk,” she said. “I have to say that the preparation and amount of work and dedication was way more than I ever expected. I also watched a lots of Youtube videos trying to get myself somewhat knowledgeable about the pageant world. In October I also had to go to Portsmouth for an official photo shoot and orientation. That’s when I got to meet Emma Donelle, 2014 Miss Teen Ohio USA and got to hear about the great opportunities that she experienced as a title holder.”
Sherb had to go through plenty of activities after arriving in Portsmouth for the pageant.
“I had to arrive on Friday, the day before the pageant, to complete my registration,” she said. “The next day started at 6 a.m. with hair and makeup getting done and then to the interview portion of the pageant. Surprisingly, I was not nearly as nervous about it as I expected. The day continued with rehearsals until the 7 p.m. show time.
“It was then that all the contestants, very much like in the televised version of Miss USA, compete in their bathing suits and gowns. At 10 p.m. day one was over, and after walking all day in heels, and being sick and on antibiotics, all I could do is go to sleep. The next day started at 6 a.m. again with rehearsals until 2 p.m. when all the Miss Ohio USA and Miss Teen Ohio USA contestants got to introduce themselves again on stage and at that time the hosts announced the semifinalists.”
Sherb said she plans to spend time next year doing missionary work.
“This coming January I will be doing a missionary trip to Haiti with my church group with Heart to Heart International and I thought how amazing it would be if I can use this opportunity to help raise awareness and funds necessary for the orphanage in Haiti,” she said. “I was determined that I would make the best out of this experience.”
She said competing in the Miss Teen USA pageant was an experience she plans on doing again.
“At the end of this journey I can comfortably say that this experience was way better that I have ever imagined and I will do it again next year,” she said. “I also was very blessed to have two of my best friends come with me and show me their support.”
Sherb was asked what her plans are for both in the near future and after she graduates from Fitch.
“While in school I think I will do some freelance modeling as the opportunities arise, in addition continuing to teach dance at Boardman YMCA. I absolutely love my little ones there,” she said. “After high school I would love to attend a college of my choice, either Georgetown or Mount Union. That is why I work so hard to maintain my 4.0 grade point average while participating at many school clubs and functions.
“I think I would like to study something in the medical field and hopefully become a pediatrician one day. But before I ever get my serious career in place I absolutely have to live my dream of working as a Disney princess for at least a year. I love children and deep inside I am still a silly kid who loves fairy tales.”