Wynford High School student named Miss Ohio's Outstanding Teen
MANSFIELD — A Wynford High School junior has been named Miss Ohio's Outstanding Teen on her first attempt for the title.
Cassandra Kurek, who was the 2019 Bucyrus Bratwurst Festival Princess, was crowned Wednesday evening at the Renaissance Theatre in Mansfield, taking home a $2,500 scholarship.
Madison Yuzwa outgoing Miss Ohio's Outstanding Teen 2021, placed the crown on her successor's head amid cheers from friends in the theater and the other contestants.
About the winner
Kurek, who was competing as Miss Greater Cleveland's Outstanding Teen, is a vocalist. Her social impact initiative was L.O.V.E. (Loving Ourselves and Verifying we’re Enough), which emphasizes an open discussion on topics that teens struggle with daily by focusing on body positivity and building self-confidence among youth.
The talented vocalist won the talent award, a $250 scholarship, for "Think of Me" from Phantom of the Opera.
Kurek, the daughter of Ed and Karissa Kurek of Bucyrus, said she is looking forward to performing at the national program of Miss America's Outstanding Teen in Orlando in August.
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A performer at the Renaissance Theatre stage in numerous productions and musicals for the past nine years, Kurek said she decided to try something new and participate in the teen program. Her very first show at the Ren was in "Les Miserables." She hopes to take part in "The Music Man" production at the downtown theater this summer.
When she's not performing, she is a cheerleader at Wynford and performs in theater. She plays saxophone in the marching band and shows an alpaca named Rudy. An avid reader, she said she's been singing since she was young.
Show featured awards, entertainment
Featured performer Ellie Nickoli announced a special scholarship award, the Payton Spirit Award, in the name of the late Payton Reese Jones, a graduate of Lexington High School who died at age 18 in a car crash on Aug. 28, 2021, in Morrow County. Jones was a contestant in the 2019 Miss Ohio's Outstanding Teen Program. Miss Portsmouth Meggan Hitchens was chosen for the award.
Former Miss Ohio 2019-2020 Caroline Grace Williams also performed the song "Imagine" on stage, delighting the crowd.
Also during the evening, Miss Shawnee's Outstanding Teen Kylie Gottman of Mansfield was named the winner of the $1,000 Miss America Empower Scholarship.
First and second runners up from Cincinnati, Newark
First runner-up was Miss Heart of Ohio Lucabella Laeace, 18, of Cincinnati, winning a $1,000 scholarship award. Laeace also won the interview award, a $250 scholarship award.
Bios: Miss Ohio's Outstanding Teen 2022 candidates
Second runner-up was Miss Portsmouth Meggan Hitchens, 16, of Newark, who captured an $800 scholarship award.
A night of entertainment at the Ren
The fast-paced show included a farewell address by Yuzwa, an Ohio State cheerleader.
The athletic Yuzwa dazzled the crowd with an action-packed dance routine, showcasing her gymnastics skills.
Miss Ohio's Little Princesses also answered an on-stage question in evening gowns, questions ranging from their favorite animal to their favorite book. And the Miss Ohio contestants took center stage to announce themselves, garnering crowd support.
Nine other candidates also competed. Each non-finalist received a $700 scholarship.
Bios: 2022 Miss Ohio candidates
Emcees for the evening were outgoing Miss Ohio Lora Current and Kasey Wilson Johansen, who competed at Miss Ohio in 2008.
Two nights of Miss Ohio preliminary competition Thursday and Friday will be followed with the new Miss Ohio being chosen Saturday night at the Renaissance Theatre.
lwhitmir@nncogannett.com
419-521-7223
Twitter: @LWhitmir
This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Miss Ohio's Outstanding Teen is Cassandra Kurek, 16, of Bucyrus
