From the pharmacy to the pageant stage

“It’s patients that need help and are underserved,” Epplen said. “I think it’s a great opportunity for her to give back to the community, learn about pharmacy practice and really be a role model for what we want our students to be, which is to provide service to patients.” 

Epplen said Wess is involved in the college’s student government tribunal and is also part of the Kappa Psi pharmacy leadership fraternity.

“She is poised, she is articulate, she is intelligent, she’s outgoing, she’s energetic,” Epplen said. “Nicole is an excellent example of our students.”

Wess has been modeling in the area for about 10 years, but this year’s Miss Ohio USA competition was the first pageant she has ever entered. She was encouraged to enter after meeting past competitors who told her about the lifelong friendships and unique experiences that resulted from competing.

“I just felt like it was the perfect time to do it,” Wess said. “I recommend it for anyone who’s wanting to boost confidence. I didn’t really go in with too many expectations. I came in wanting to meet people, have fun with the experience and learn something from it at the end of the day.”

Wess quickly learned a lot about the pageant system, including the fact that there is much more to the competition than how someone looks. 

“It’s not just about beauty, it’s so much more than that,” she said. “It’s all about strong and empowered women, and when I was there for that first day of competition is when I realized these are amazing women all trying to represent the state of Ohio and in the end represent the United States of America.”

When Wess woke up July 10, the morning of the Miss Ohio USA pageant, she said she didn’t even consider that she would end up being crowned. The next thing she knew, she was in the top 15, then answering a question as part of the top five.

Wess recalled the question was about voting regulations, and she wasn’t satisfied with her response. But when it came time to announce the winner, Wess was the last competitor left standing.

“When they said first runner-up, and they called the other girl’s name, I was like, ‘Wait. That’s the first runner-up. That means I won,’” Wess said. “And it’s so funny because my family and my friends in the audience were the first ones that realized it before I did. It was like a dream.”

While it might not seem like the skills would overlap, Wess said her pharmacy and pageant experiences have taught her lessons that can be applied in both pursuits. She noted she has learned through pharmacy training how to communicate effectively with people in any setting. 

“In a pharmacy, random people come up to you all the time asking questions. And you don’t want to sound underprepared answering a question even though you didn’t expect it,” Wess said. “So it kind of is the same thing with being interviewed or getting an on-stage question in the competition. So you take a second to think about it, and then answering the question has to be delivered very strongly.”

As the reigning Miss Ohio USA and inspired by her personal experiences, Wess has chosen a platform of volunteerism. Even after the Miss USA pageant is concluded, Wess will continue to advocate for the importance of service and represent Ohio while she retains her crown until next summer.

“I think as more people are informed about the opportunities that volunteering and giving service does, it can better our communities,” Wess said. “Who knows, it may change some career paths.”

Dean Epplen said she is excited for the opportunity Wess has to serve as a role model showing that there are great opportunities and career pathways for women in science fields, including pharmacy.

“I think that it’s a really big opportunity to showcase what women are able to do in STEM fields and the importance of pharmacy, particularly during a global pandemic,” Epplen said. “I think demonstrating our role as women scientists in the health care field is so important to combat this global pandemic.”

When Wess takes the stage to compete at Miss USA, Epplen said she will have a cheering section back home with her fellow students and professors. The college held a send-off celebration last Friday as Wess prepared for competition.

“We’re trying to be as supportive as we can, and we’ll be pulling out our pompoms and trying to cheer her on to success,” Epplen said.

Featured photo at top of Nicole Wess with volunteers at A Child's Hope International. Photo provided.