With a positive attitude, faith in God, and years of preparation, Freshman Becky Minger came close to winning the title of Miss Teen Ohio.

Representing her hometown of Sylvania, Ohio, Minger’s first pageant experience was a shining accomplishment. Minger, a music education major, almost edged out an entire field of 87 contestants coming close to winning this year’s crown – she finished third runner-up.

The pageant, held in Portsmouth, Ohio, took place over the weekend of Sept. 30 to Oct.1. The participants endured a five-and-a-half hour rehearsal the first day to practice where they would stand, followed by a presentation show.

The next day consisted of a final rehearsal with a dance number in which Minger was placed in the front row. Included in the panel of judges was a former Miss Teen Missouri and Miss Teen Michigan 2004.

Contestants weren’t judged on talent but they had to undergo an interview process where judges took questions from a biography form each girl had to fill out.

“Judges are looking for someone who has good morals and presents themselves very well, who is poised and graceful and can do public speaking and someone who is intelligent. They don’t want anyone who is some pretty face who doesn’t know what they’re talking about,” Minger said.

The field of 87 was narrowed to 15 and then cut again to five, from which the winner was chosen. Minger was excited and anxious at first – and then relieved when she made the first cut.

“They called the top five and I almost started crying, I was just up there laughing like, ‘I can’t believe this is happening,” Minger said.

The winner gets an opportunity to work with local charitable alliances like The Sparrow Club.

The Sparrow Club adopts a child who is in medical need and raises money through volunteer efforts, which goes directly toward deflecting high medical cost.

Minger was excited to get a chance to work with the volunteer organizations. She has been involved with D.A.R.E. since she was in the fifth grade.

“I feel really strongly about drugs and alcohol. I plan on working with especially high school and junior high kids and letting them know it’s not about drugs and alcohol, it’s not about violence. It’s not about making yourself so thin that you’re perfect. It’s about being yourself and you don’t need drugs and alcohol,” Minger said.

Minger would still be interested in working with The Sparrow Club and D.A.R.E., she is currently a first-year leader with the on-campus Christian organization YoungLife.

Minger’s boyfriend Jason Rentner supports her, and kept her calm during the competition.

Rentner, a freshman studying journalism, accompanied her parents to the pageant.

“To say she got fourth place out of 87 contestants is good and it was only her first pageant. She can use that experience to get the crown,” Rentner said.

Minger got hands-on help from friend Janelle Zindroski, a freshman and a double major in music education and dual science. Zindroski has been part of the Miss America system since she was seven years old.

“I could tell when she first came to me to help her. I could tell she had it. She has the look and the heart. I think she can definitely do well in the system,” Zindroski said.

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