UC student crowned Miss Ohio: 'I feel like I've been floating'

She plans to graduate from UC in December with a bachelor's degree in biomedical science. Her community service platform called “That STEM Girl” also has a science angle as she promotes mentorship as a way to build diversity in medicine.

After graduation, Finoti plans to attend medical school with plans to pursue pediatric medicine.

“This whole week has been a dream. I feel like I've been floating all week,” she told the Enquirer.

Her victory was her second bid for the Miss Ohio crown. Previously, she finished as a top-10 semifinalist.

Miss Ohio typically has speaking engagements across the state. Finoti said she hopes to use her new platform to introduce Ohio girls to science, technology, engineering and math.

“I hope to recruit more marginalized young women by going out into the community, telling my stories, connecting with individuals and making these close-knit relationships within my community,” she said. “And then, once I do that, I plan to give them the resources that they need to come into the program to succeed within this program and in their professional lives.”

Read the Cincinnati Enquirer story.

Featured image at top: UC student Stephanie Finoti will compete this winter in the Miss America Scholarship Pageant. Photo/WMFD