Cincinnati nursing student wins Miss Clayland 2026 crown

Lucabella LaEace, a 21-year-old, from Cincinnati was named Miss Clayland 2026.

LaEace, a nursing student at Thomas More University, performed a jazz dance to “Big Time” in the talent competition. Her community service initiative is titled “Ending the Silence Surrounding Suicide.”

She received a $4,000 scholarship, a $500 in-kind scholarship to Kent State University–Tuscarawas, a $250 scholarship for the Community Service Award and a $250 scholarship for the Ray King Talent Award. As Miss Clayland, she will compete for the title of Miss Ohio 2026 in June.

The Community Service Award was presented in honor of Esther Peck Gibbs, Brent Lehigh, Debbie Gordon, Bob Roberts and Rex Huffman, longtime volunteers and supporters of the Miss Clayland Scholarship Program who passed away during the past year.

“I am incredibly excited to serve and grateful for the Clayland community for their support,” LaEace said. “This is a life-changing opportunity and I look forward to spending as much time as possible in Tuscarawas County sharing my story as a suicide loss survivor to help others. Thank you to the generous donors and volunteers for empowering young women to change the world.”

Julia DePenti, 24, of Parma, was named first runner-up and received a Ray King Talent Award, totaling $700 in scholarships. She performed a jazz dance to “Covergirl” and sang Barbra Streisand’s version of “Don’t Rain on My Parade” from Funny Girl. DePenti is a graduate student at Bowling Green State University.

Piper Lambert received the $600 Random Act of Kindness Award, given in memory of Debbie Gordon by the Gordon family, as well as a $150 non-finalist scholarship. Reagan Truitt, Aliah Williamson, Abby Lipinski and Morgan Hunter each received a $150 non-finalist scholarship.

Allie Krucek Hoffman, Miss Clayland 2007, served as mistress of ceremonies. Olivia Fosson, Miss Ohio 2025 and Miss Clayland 2025, performed several numbers throughout the evening, including “The Jewel Song” from Faust, which won her both crowns.

Judges for the competition were Nichole Zesiger Merkl of New Philadelphia, Gina Space Tompkins and Col. Richard Ray of Dover, Dawn Abrams of Port Washington and Sarah Clapper Shobe of Marysville.

“We are so incredibly humbled by the donation of businesses, individuals and organizations throughout the county that help to make this program such a success,” said Martha Campbess, executive director of the Miss Clayland Scholarship Program. “Our volunteers are second to none, always going above and beyond to make the program memorable for each contestant.”

The Miss Clayland Scholarship Program is a preliminary to the Miss Ohio and Miss America programs.