Ms. Wheelchair Ohio

A beautiful stage setting was created at the Northgate Church in Sunbury Ohio	Boy Scout Troop 108 from Delaware Ohio opened the with a traditional Flag Ceremony and Pledge of Allegiance.	Troop leader Sandra Stults led the National Anthem as the audience accompanied.
Master of Ceremonies Christopher Chuck from Delaware Ohio was introduced as master of ceremonies and kicked off the event.	Leekay Bennett from Delaware Ohio presented her poem wings on wheels.	The 2010 Ms Wheelchair Ohio contestants lined up to be brought onto the stage and introduced.
Ms Wheelchair Ohio Pageant Director Carol Tolsen introduced Danielle Brown (Ms Ohio 2009) onto the stage.	Danielle reviewed her experience at the 2009 Ms Wheelchair America pageant in South Dakota	Danielle then congratulated all of the 2010 contestants and shared some insight to her experience as Ms 2009 throughout Ohio.
Carol Tolson introduced the panel of judges for the 2010 event. Starting on the right is the official time keeper - Ann Smith and judges - Beth Shank from Newton Falls Ohio, Matt Lawson from Columbus Ohio and Leekay Bennett from Delaware Ohio
Margaret Long from Cincinnati Ohio during her final presentation describes herself as a woman of courage, strength, grit, self determination and fearlessness. She was paralyzed by a gun shot at 19 years old and has turned the challenge into an educational tool for programs such as Scared Straight and Cease Fire Cincinnati.	Latisha Martin from Dayton Ohio passionately described herself as smart, determined, helpful, talkative, and an advocate. She uses her challenge of Cerebral Palsy to help advocate those who share the same conditions to what resources they have for assisted living.	Amy Joe Riter from Canton Ohio described herself as brave, funny, determined, loyal, and first of all MOM. Deleria Tobias from Coshocton Ohio returned to Ms Ohio after competing in 1978. She describes herself as determined, courageous, stubborn, ambitious, and social. With many challenges facing her, she was able to complete several degrees from Malone College and Muskingum Tech College, and has served a three year term on the Ohio Governor Board of Disabilities.
During intermission, the audience enjoyed a live performance of a singing duet Karen Lindsay and her sister.
After intermission, the 2010 contestants took their places on the stage to patiently await for the results from the judges. From the right - Margaret Long - Latisha Martin - Amy Joe Riter - Deleria Tobias - and Danielle Brown While the judges finalized their results, Danielle Brown expressed some final thoughts to the contestants and congratulated all of them to having the ambition to participate in the 2010 Ms Wheelchair Ohio pageant.
Second runner up was presented to Deleria Tobias		First runner up was presented to Margaret Long
Carol Tolson presented Any Joe Riter as Ms Wheelchair Ohio 2010.		Amy Joe Riter is crowned as Ms 2010 by Danielle Brown (Ms 2009).
The 2010 Contestants all pose with Emcee as the 2010 Ms Wheelchair Ohio Pageant comes to an end. Congratulation to all of the ladies who participated this year. OhioWheelchair.com salutes all of these ladies who strive to make their world a better place by the ambiitons they have! Good luck with all of your future
	Special Thanks to our very helpful escort Mike for his energetic effort to keep our ladies safe while traveling up and down the stage during the event.
	Special Thanks to those who helped behind the scenes to make the 2010 pageant a huge success!

The Pageant began with the Frankiln Heights NJROTC performing a Color Guard flag ceremony.

From the left is Sean Hartley (left rifle) Erica Woodring (Commanding the US Flag) Nick Pickering (Ohio Flag) and Robert Choate (right rifle).

Carol Tolson then led the National Anthem.

Pageant coordinator Carol Tolson and MC Matt Lawson kicked off the event with history and facts about Ms Wheelchair

Captain Tom Lennon and the Franklin NJROTC chaperoned the contestants
onto the stage and helped make the pageant a success.

Special Thanks for their support!

Jennifer Kilman of Grove City was honored as the first runner up for the 2009 Ms. Wheelchair Ohio.

Jennifer is a graduate of Columbus College of Art and Design and enjoys doing graphic design and strategic marketing planning. She volunteers for CASA started a non profit called Bucks for Bones that raises funds for children with Osteogenesis Imperfecta. Jennifer plans to go back to school for a Masters in Law for children rights.

Danielle was Crowned Ms. Wheelchair Ohio 2009 on March 28, 2009.

Congratulations Danielle!

Latisha Martin from Dayton was honored as the second runner up for the 2009 Ms. Wheelchair Ohio.

Latisha has worked with Youth in Leadership and has lectured others about coping with physical and mental disabilities. She also advocates others about resources available for assisted living, housing, employment, and recreation.

Shari Cooper (2008 Ms Wheelchair Ohio) shares her experience with Danielle and give pointers for the 2009 adventure.

See Shari's 2008 review below!

Stay Tuned for more photos!

Danielle poses with the 2009 pageant judges as she celebrates her crowning.
From the left to the right - Michelle Milinovich, Danielle Brown, Cory Anderson and LeeKay Bennett.

The job of choosing the best candidate is not an easy one. Every candidate has special qualities. Just being a part of this event shows the influential characteristic of those who participate.

Danielle Brown

Danielle Brown, a 23 year old from Danville Ohio, plans to attend school to pursue a career in Administrative Sciences. She has participated in Special Olympics to win gold and silver medals in swimming.

Danielle describes herself as
a survivor, persistent, optimizing, caring and sensitive.

Elizabeth Shank

Elizabeth Shank, a 33 year old from Newton Falls, is a peer mentor for others with a SCI. She has participated in several of the Ohio Wheelchair games where she has won gold medals in Air Pistol and enjoys the 5k races at Hillside Hospital. Beth's favorite hobby is cross stitching but also enjoys turkey hunting and watching bull riding.

Elizabeth looks for the beauty in everything and hopes to convey to others that she can do the same things they can, albeit from a lower altitude.

Don Johnston MC's the Pageant introducing the candidates, judges, and sponsors.

Click on thumbnails to enlarge picture.

Candidates pose on stage for group photo.

Stacy Hubbard has coordinated the show for the last 8 years and believes that is is an important project that supports community awareness of those who live in wheelchairs and face challenges.