Ellen Bryan wants people to know that if they hear thunder roar, they should go indoors.
The junior telecommunications major became the third runner up in the Miss Ohio scholarship pageant Sunday after a week of different competitions.
Bryan said taking part in the competition last year helped her prepare for this year.
"[Participating in the pageant] is really overwhelming," she said. "You stay in competition mode, but also people you are on stage with are the people you interact the most with during that week. The second year you know the process and the people and apply what you learned last year."
Bryan said she decided to compete in the scholarship pageant after a professor suggested it. He thought it was a good idea for learning skills and doing community service.
Bryan said every night there were different competitions, from evening gown to talent. Bryan said she thought the most important part of the competitions was the interview because the judges could ask whatever they wanted. Participants had to study current events because they're most likely going to be asked how they felt about current issues.
Bryan's platform was also important to her and was a big reason why she competed in the pageant.
Bryan's older sister was struck by lighting in 2000, causing her to lose her ability to move or speak.
It was devastating for her family, Bryan said.
"A couple years ago I started thinking that her going out with the community might not happen very soon," she said. "So I decided to go out myself in the meantime and educate people about safety measures to protect themselves from lightning. I hope she can inspire others as well."
Bryan now works to raise awareness about lightning safety as a spokesperson for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the National Weather Service lightning safety awareness campaign. She even flew to Tampa eight hours after she participated in the Miss Ohio pageant to educate people about lightning.
"You meet a lot of people and you face a lot of circumstances. Their strength and motivation keeps you going, it changes how you see life," she said. "I think that's what I've learned. You are such a small part of this great plan in the world, you must give to people."
Sharon Hernandez contributed to this story.
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