Photo by Steve Ziegelmeyer

BLANCHESTER — Lindsey Erwin, a 2013 graduate of Blanchester High School and current student at Ohio University, will participate in the Miss Ohio USA pageant Nov. 6-7.

“The main reason I decided to run is to show that girls don’t have to become from big cities or from a wealthy background,” Erwin said. “You can be from a small town, and you don’t have to be perfect.”

Erwin said the pageant portrays confident girls in Ohio, and, she said, “It shows girls that you’re perfect with your flaws. That’s what makes you who you are.”

The event will be held at the Kuss Auditorium at the Clark State Performing Arts Center in Springfield.

If she wins, she’ll advance to the Miss America USA pageant.

Seeing the pageant, Erwin said, made her decide to step out of her own comfort zone and show others that they can, too.

She hopes to highlight that fact, especially as students face bullying, which often degrades a person’s self-image.

“You’re not alone,” she said. “There are plenty of girls and guys who are bullied. Be confident in who you are.”

Being confident, she said, helped her meet people at Ohio University who taught her that it doesn’t matter what others think of her, but what she thinks of herself.

She’s taken that knowledge and used it to make friends and find others who have had similar experiences.

Lindsey is the daughter of Terry and Paula Erwin of Blanchester. She double majors in international business and marketing and is a junior.

Reach Nathan Kraatz at 937-382-2574, ext. 2510 or on Twitter @NathanKraatz.