Cheryl Yourkvitch at the Miss America Pageant – Sept. 1973

Cheryl Yourkvitch's quest for the Miss America crown played out in the Journal during August and early September 1973, with daily updates in the paper providing a window to the fascinating world of the pageant. 

It was a uniquely exciting time in Lorain, with the city unified in its support for the hometown favorite – who distinguished herself with grace and class, and made the town proud. 

Here's a sampling of the articles from the Journal with the story, leading up to the pageant, which was 50 years ago today, September 8, 1973.

8/27/73

8/30/73

8/31/73

9/1/73

9/4/73

9/7/73

9/8/73

9/8/73

9/11/73

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I did two earlier posts on Cheryl: one about when she won Miss Lorain County, and the other when she was named Miss Ohio.

Recently she posted some nice photos and comments over on the "Lorain, Ohio By Photos" Facebook page.

Cheryl Yourkvitch Wins Miss Ohio – Summer 1973

Front page of the June 24, 1973 Journal

Fifty years ago in the summer of 1973, Lorain was celebrating the selection of its own Cheryl Yourkvitch as Miss Ohio and looking forward to her competing in the Miss America pageant that fall. It was a nice time in the city, as her achievement was a unifying force. Everyone was rooting for her.

(Her selection as Miss Lorain County in May of that year was the subject of a post here.)

In the days following her winning the Miss Ohio crown, Cheryl's story played out in the Lorain Journal with regular coverage.

From the June 25, 1973 Journal

From the June 25, 1973 Journal

From the June 26, 1973 Journal

From the June 26, 1973 Journal

From the June 27, 1973 Journal

By the end of July, Cheryl was busy with preparations for the Miss America pageant in Atlantic City. Journal photographer Tom Whittington did a nice job documenting a "Day in the Busy Life of Our Miss Ohio," with his photos accompanying an article by Marsha Vayhinger that appeared in the paper on July 29, 1973.

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As this blog looks back on that special time in her life, here's hoping that she's currently doing well and enjoying good health and happiness.

Cheryl Yourkvitch Wins Miss Lorain County – May 1973

It seems like beauty contests are a regular topic on this blog, doesn't it? But it's not too surprising since they were once a popular form of entertainment. Plus this part of Ohio seemed to dominate that category back in the 1950s, 60s and 70s.

Jackie Mayer's story of being selected Miss America 1963 has been well documented on this blog. And the Miss Vacationland competition (which Jackie won and used as a stepping stone on her journey) has showed up as well a few times (including this post).

And many of us still remember when Cheryl Yourkvitch was selected Miss Ohio of 1973. But before she could compete in that contest, she had to win a local one first  – and that was Miss Lorain County. 

Ad from the May 19, 1973 Journal

Here's the article from the May 20, 1973 Journal with the story of her victory.

And here's the front page photo from that same edition of the paper.

And this article (below) appeared in the paper on May 24, 1973.

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You might remember that another Miss Lorain County, Irene Sidorowicz of Lorain, came very close to winning Miss Ohio of 1971.

From the July 16, 1971 Journal

From the July 18, 1971 Journal

Sadly, Irene passed away on October 20, 2022. Here is the link to her obituary.