A law student at Ohio State University will represent the Buckeye State in the Miss America competition after being crowned Miss Ohio 2025 on June 21.
Olivia Fosson, 24, of Kitts Hill, was first runner-up last year in the Miss Ohio competition. Now, the opera singer will receive a $10,000 scholarship and head to the Miss America competition in Orlando, Florida, in September.
The Miss Ohio competition was hosted in Mansfield from June 19-21 with 28 contestants from across the state.
While Fosson hails from southern Ohio, here are the central Ohio natives who placed or won awards.
Miss Portsmouth Brittney Putman, of Grove City, was third runner-up and took home a $3,500 scholarship. Her talent is dance and her community service initiative is “You’re Important Too: Advocating for Children and Families Affected by Substance Abuse.”
Miss Franklin County Reagan Petersen, of Gahanna, won a $500 scholarship from the Cheryl J. Oliveri Memorial Fund. Her talent is dance and her community service initiative is “Be the Match, Save a Life.”
Miss Greater Columbus Olivia Jarrell, of Columbus, won the Caroline Grace Williams Spirit Award, a $250 scholarship. Her talent is ballroom dance and her community service initiative is “The J.O.Y. Project.”
Miss Heart of Ohio Lexie Miller, of Newark, won the Laurel Lea Schaefer Award, a $500 scholarship. The prize is named for the Miss America winner of 1972, who came from Bexley.
Miller’s talent is singing and her community service initiative is “Take HEART.” Miller also won a nonfinalist talent award, a $500 scholarship.
Miss Central Ohio Caitlin Seifert, 26, was first runner-up, but she’s not from central Ohio. Seifert is from Niles in Trumbull County. Her talent is baton twirling and her community service initiative is “Turn a Key: Opening the Door to Volunteering.”
Mansfield News Journal reporter Lou Whitmire contributed to this report.
Reporter Jordan Laird can be reached at jlaird@dispatch.com. Follow her on X, Instagram and Bluesky at @LairdWrites.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio State University law student crowned Miss Ohio, Grove City native places
Reporting by Jordan Laird, Columbus Dispatch / The Columbus Dispatch
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