Britain Bennett finishes in top 5 for Miss Ohio

PERKINS TWP. — A recent Perkins High School graduate came close to representing Ohio in a national pageant competition.Britain Bennett, a 2017 graduate, finished third runner-up in the top five for a recent Miss Ohio pageant within the Miss USA pageant program in Cincinnati. It was the largest pageant in which she has participated.Another accomplishment: Out of the more than 40 women ages 19-27 who competed, she was the youngest. In the past, she competed in the program's teen pageant system, where she was named first runner-up."A lot of girls wait to compete until they're 21 or 22, but I wanted to try it out to see if I liked the experience," Bennett said. "I was so nervous, but I'm definitely going back."Though she spent about a year in preparation, she had good reason to be nervous."I was competing against doctors and lawyers and didn't think I could compete against them," Bennett said. "I learned they're just normal people and I'm going to promote (my anti-bullying platform) for the rest of my life."The first day consisted of a short, two-minute interview with two panels of judges. Later that evening were swimsuit and evening gown competitions and the top 15 contestants were announced. Unlike the Miss America pageant program, the Miss USA program still has a swimsuit competition.On the second day, the top 15 repeat the swimsuit and evening gown portions. At one point, Bennett tripped in her dress, but she joked about it with the judges during her final interview.Bennett said her interview question was the hardest, as she was asked about her opinion on having more protection at U.S./Mexico border."I winged it and gave my personal opinion," she said. "No matter what interview I go into, I always relate it to personal experience. I don't like to prepare for interviews because I know myself well. I'm just very myself, I'm not a robot."More pressure and nerves will likely come with next year's pageant competition, but Bennett will take up the challenge."I'm going to go in with the same mentality to have fun, do my best and connect with the judges," she said.Participating in this pageant and others in the past have helped Bennett further understand why she competes."When I was younger, I didn't know why I did pageants," she said. "Now, I compete in them and do everything I do because little girls tell me they want to do what I do and be just like me.""I've worked very hard to get where I am today," she said. "If you find your passion, work hard and you can be the best person you can be."Reach reporter Caitlin Nearhood at nearhood@sanduskyregister.com, follow her on Twitter @CaitlinNearhood and on Facebook.com/CaitliNearhood2017 Perkins High School graduate Britain Bennett, left, finished third runner-up in recent a Miss Ohio pageant within the Miss USA pageant program. Competitors in a recent Miss Ohio pageant, including 2017 Perkins High School graduate Britain Bennett, center in light blue, are pictured. This pageant is within the Miss USA pageant program.