24 Hours With Miss Ohio

A few years ago, Kelsey Retz left West Chester to attend college in LA and work in fashion PR. Her co-worker took one look at her and said, “You should do pageants. Your presence is strong, you take care of yourself and you look incredible!” Kelsey recalls.

All American Girl

When someone says pageant, you may picture swimsuit competitions, ball gowns, makeup and high heels. But pageants have received a makeover. Liberty Township native Taylor Small, 13, was just crowned National American Miss Pre-Teen Queen, a role coveted by young teens across the country. The competition prides itself on authenticity, building positive role models in young girls and women, and honoring…

Standout Student Athletes

High school athletics are at their finest in Lakota Local Schools. Whether on the course, field or court, these four Lakota athletes excel. Here are their stories, in their own words.

A Closet Filled With Hope

 Article Shawna Taylor | Photography Eric Thomas Photography  While clothing means fashion for some, for others it’s merely a necessity and basic clothing is sometimes hard to come by. It can serve as a source of comfort and instill confidence in its young wearer. Sarah Coleman knows this to be true. As Executive Director of Hope’s Closet, a children’s clothing boutique…

Makeover Magic

 Article Tera Michelson | Photography Ali Wolfe Photography  Melody Fields hasn’t put herself on the top of her own to-do list for years. In 2017, after binging on the traditional unhealthy snacks that mark Super Bowl Sunday, Fields decided to finally put herself first. With the support of her friends and co-workers, she made some lifestyle changes that put her…

Running The World

Who can say they’ve run a marathon on every continent and in all six major world marathons?

Red Carpet Couple

The Brent Maez story reads like the lyrics to a classic country song. The catchy tunes on their 2015 extended play (EP) record, Brent Maez, chronicle the fun, love and musical dreams coming true for Brent and Erica Maez, married singer-songwriters of Mason.

The Iron Woman

Heroes come in many different packages with many different messages. One local West Chester woman is heroism personified. She is powerful, smart, determined and full of compassion. Meet Renee Zegar, West Chester’s very own “Iron Woman.”

Taking Center Stage

She walked into an audition her freshmen year at Lakota West for the spring musical, The Sound of Music. That was the first time director Kim Eldridge encountered Lauren Sprague. “I didn’t know anything about her,” Eldridge says. “She walked in and blew me away with her acting, her dancing, her singing. She was not a typical freshman, that’s for…

Model Citizens

When you look at Leah and Erin Eliopulos, it’s easy to see how they could become successful models at a young age. They’re beautiful, confident and charming. What you don’t see right away, until you meet them, is why these two West Chester sisters became models and how they’re changing our community—for the better.