How to go
What: Ms. Wheelchair Ohio pageant
Where: Wright State University Main Campus, Student Union, Apollo Room, 3640 Colonel Glenn Highway, Fairborn
When: 4 to 6 p.m. April 6
More info:
Ms. Wheelchair Ohio webpage at www.ohiowheelchair.com or Ms. Wheelchair Ohio Facebook page;
The primary goal of the Ms. Wheelchair Ohio pageant is selecting the most articulate spokeswoman for persons with disabilities.
Wright State University will host the pageant on April 6.
“It is fantastic news for Wright State because the four contestants participating are Wright State students. We accept any women with a disability from all over Ohio,” said Jessica Kelbely, coordinator of the event.
Elizabeth Schrack, a junior at Wright State majoring in social work, said, “I want to put my best wheel forward for the community and portray the best possible image of myself.”
After graduation Schrack said she would like to work in the social work department of the Veteran’s Administration helping the families of soldiers who return home with a disability. She wants to focus on the children, she said.
In 1972, Dr. Philip Wood created the first Ms. Wheelchair Ohio pageant in Columbus. Two years later, the Ms. Wheelchair America pageant was established. The nonprofit programs bring together women with disabilities in wheelchairs to help promote awareness and to knock down barriers.
Two common threads between the WSU student contestants: nervousness about being on stage and giving a speech that must use five words that best describe them.
Megan Goettemoeller says she likes being involved. At Wright State she is involved in many activities that concern advocating for people with disabilities. “I got into the pageant for fun,” Goettemoeller said. She hopes her story will help inspire other people with disabilities, she said.
Unlike Goettemoeller, not all of the contestants immediately wanted to participate. “I feel nervous about doing the pageant,” contestant Summer Rienke said. “I don’t do things like this, and I’m not a big fan of wearing dresses.”
Rienke graduated from Wright State in 2008, earning her Bachelor of Arts in psychology. She then earned a master’s in applied behavior analysis from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. She lives in Piqua.
Mallory Holler wants to advocate for people with disabilities. When asked to participate she wasn’t sure at first. “I’m not the kind of person who likes a lot of attention, but this is about helping others, so I look forward to being in the pageant,” she said.
Holler has Rosenburg Chutorion syndrome, a rare disorder causing hearing loss and degeneration of the optic nerve. Holler does have a little vision and hearing. All she wants to do is help others, she said.
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