Josie Wells of Ironton will compete for the title of Miss Ohio USA 2014. The 2014 Miss Ohio USA competition is slated for Nov. 8 and 9, in Portsmouth.

Portsmouth will soon welcome more than 100 outstanding young women representing every corner and every major city in Ohio. Plans for the state competition are in the final stages.

“We are overwhelmed by the response and caliber of all the participants from Ohio,” Melissa Pitchford, executive director with the Miss Universe Organization said. “There is not a better opportunity for ambitious young women out there today. The Miss Ohio USA competition offers women in the state of Ohio an once-in- a-lifetime opportunity to advance their personal and professional goals. The Miss Ohio USA and the Miss Ohio Teen USA Pageants will be offering over one million dollars in college scholarships to be awarded to the winners, finalists and semi-finalists!

The final competition, which will be held at the Vern Riffe Center for the Arts Nov. 9, at 4:30 p.m., consists of three proportional segments: evening gown, fitness/swimsuit and the final question.

Finally, at approximately 6:15 p.m. the crowning moment will arrive. The winner, Miss Ohio USA 2014, will be announced claiming the title and prize list which includes, travel, wardrobe, college scholarships and most importantly the honor to represent the state of Ohio in the ultimate pageant — Miss USA, which will be telecast live in primetime on the networks of NBC. Miss USA ultimately goes on to represent the United States in the Miss Universe competition. More than 600 million people view the Miss USA, and Miss Universe competitions in more than 45 countries worldwide.

The Miss Universe Organization, producers of the Miss Universe, Miss USA, and MISS Teen USA Pageants, is a Donald. Trump and NBC partnership.

The preliminary show and competition will be held at the Vern Riffe Center for the Arts on Friday, Nov. 8 at 8 p.m. Tickets are available through the Vern Riffe Center for the Arts Box Office by contacting 740-351-3600 and through Ticketmaster.

Visit the on our Facebook page through the links at either www.missohiousa.com or www.missohioteenusa.com and follow Miss Ohio USA and Miss Ohio Teen USA 2013 or register to enter the State finals.