Many young girls have the dream of wearing a crown. As they grow up they realize there are more ways to do so than marrying a prince.

For three University students, this dream may soon become reality.

Julie Berry, Erin Porter and Nina Haaskivi are competing in the Miss Ohio USA Pageant, taking place on Oct. 14 and 15 in Portsmouth, Ohio.

Berry, a senior from Huron, Ohio majoring in social work, said she wants to be Miss Ohio because it would give her the opportunity to be a positive role model for young girls across Ohio.

“I think it’s a dream that tons of little girls have,” Berry said.

Berry, who has no prior pageant experience, said her favorite previous Miss Ohio is “Halle Berry, because we have the same last name.”

Berry is a volunteer coach for Special Olympics for Wood County. She started as a volunteer coach two years ago because she needed volunteer hours for her major and said she just “got hooked.”

Along with coaching, Berry is also involved in Relay for Life and the student organization for social workers.

If she wins, Berry said she wants to do a lot of volunteer work and “go to schools and talk to young girls about self image.”

Porter, a junior, also wants to be involved with community service projects if she wins the title of Miss Ohio. Porter is a political science major and is from Republic, Ohio. She has experience with local town pageants, but said she has always wanted to compete at the state level.

Porter has been actively involved on campus. She is a member of the Alpha Phi sorority and has also been an orientation leader and campus tour guide.

Haaskivi, a senior, is also a part of greek life on campus as a member of the Phi Mu sorority. Through her sorority, she volunteers for Children’s Miracle Network and Habitat for Humanity.

Haaskivi has been competing in pageants since high school, including Miss Teen USA.

A sports management major, Haaskivi said her hobbies include hockey, singing, dancing and cooking.

“People are usually surprised that I compete in pageants because of my major,” she said.

She said her greatest inspiration has been her parents.

“They came to the U.S. from Finland,” Haaskivi said. “They taught me a lot about what it means to be independent.”

Haaskivi said the judging process is not just about “the shiny, sparkly things” that people stigmatize what a pageant is about. She said the judges also take into consideration a contestant’s community service and involvement.

“If you can walk in front of 200 people in a bathing suit and heels, you can do anything,” Haaskivi said.