Seven contestants to vie for Miss Clayland 2026 crown Sept. 20

Top row left to right: Piper Lambert, Reagan Truit, Lucabella LaEace; Bottom row left to right: Morgan Hunter, Aliah Williamson, Julia DePenti, Abby Lipinski — Submitted

Seven young women will compete for the title of Miss Clayland 2026 Sept. 20 at 7 p.m. at Claymont High School.

Contestants are competing for more than $6,000 in cash scholarships, a $500 scholarship to Kent State Tuscarawas and the opportunity to represent Tuscarawas County at the Miss Ohio Competition in June 2026.

Scholarships will be awarded as follows: Miss Clayland 2026, $4,000; first runner-up, $450; Ray King Talent Award, $250; Community Service Award, $250; Kindness Award, $500; and each non-finalist, $150. The Kindness Award is being presented in memory of Debbie Gordon and has been donated by the Gordon family. The Community Service Award will be presented in honor of Esther Peck Gibbs, Rex Huffman, Debbie Gordon, Brent Lehigh and Bob Roberts, longtime volunteers for the Miss Clayland Scholarship Program who passed away during the last year.

Julia DePenti, 24, of Parma, is pursuing a master’s degree in communication disorders at Bowling Green State University. She will present a jazz dance to “Covergirl” by RuPaul. Her Community Service Initiative is “Ed on ED: Education on Eating Disorders.”

Morgan Hunter, 19, of Rockford, attends Wittenberg University, where she is studying sociology. She will perform a HerStory focusing on strong minds. Her initiative is “Mind over Muscle.”

Lucabella LaEace, 21, of Cincinnati, is a nursing student at Thomas More University. She will dance to “Big Time.” Her initiative is “Ending the Silence Surrounding Suicide.”

Piper Lambert, 21, of East Palestine, is a student at Southern New Hampshire University studying business management. She will perform “I Can’t Say No” from “Oklahoma.” Her initiative is “Capable Celiac: Education and Advocacy for Celiac Disease.”

Abby Lipinski, 22, of Waynesfield, attends Rhodes State College, where she is studying dental hygiene. She will perform a HerStory on access to dental care. Her initiative is “Project Smile.”

Reagan Truitt, 18, of Chillicothe, is a student at Ohio University with plans to become a social media manager. She will sing “Tightrope” from “The Greatest Showman.” Her initiative is “New Beginnings Project.”

Aliah Williamson, 19, of Coshocton, attends The Ohio State University and is studying early childhood education. She will perform a lyrical jazz dance to “The King of Rock & Roll.” Her initiative is “Heroes of Today.”

The 69th Miss Clayland Competition will be hosted by Allie Krucek Hoffman, Miss Clayland 2007. Olivia Fosson, Miss Clayland 2025 and Miss Ohio 2025, will also perform. Fosson won Miss Ohio in June and competed in the Miss America Competition earlier this month.

Tickets are $10 at the door. Raffle tickets are also available by contacting Diana Lindsay at 740-922-9429, Martha Campbell at 330-340-0390 or missclayland@gmail.com. Tickets will also be sold at the door.

The Miss Clayland Scholarship Program is a preliminary pageant of the Miss Ohio and Miss America organizations.