2009 Judges

Raised in Westerville, Ohio, Melissa Anderson studied vocal music at the Ohio Christian University where she traveled as the lead vocalist in the "Masters Promise Quartet" and was featured on the university’s first recording project. Melissa has dazzled crowds with her Gospel and inspirational styles, and she has several years experience in competitive singing, having competed in Zanesville’s Y-City Star, at the Babbie Mason Music Convention in Atlanta, GA, and in radio station talent searches. Melissa currently lives in Newark with her husband, Rodney, and their three children, where she is active in the music ministry at the Newark Church of the Nazarene and preparing to launch a new business specializing in vocal and performance coaching.












Leslie Andrews is completing her bachelor's degree in Voice Performance at Cleveland State University, studying under Elizabeth Chesko. She served as the Training Choir Director for two seasons with the internationally renowned Ohio Boy Choir. In addition to performing as a backup vocalist for Kenny Rogers, Leslie has also had the privilege of singing with the Cleveland Orchestra Chorus at Severence Hall and Blossom Music Center. She most recently performed for the "Shawshank Redemption" reunion celebration, for which she performed the famous Sull'aria from Mozart's "Marriage of Figaro." Leslie has received multiple awards for "Artistic Expression in Talent" from the Miss America Organization and has been 1st, 3rd, and 4th runner-up to Miss Ohio. Leslie lobbies for arts education in the state of Ohio and has worked with the Ohio Alliance for Arts Education. In her spare time she is a volunteer at the historic Ohio State Reformatory assisting in their Ghost Hunts, as she is a founding member of the North East Ohio Paranormal investigating team. Leslie is recently married to husband, Chris. They reside in North Ridgeville, Ohio with their two dogs.









A mother, wife, business owner and make-up artist, Jane Engelke graduated from West Virginia University of Parkersburg with a Bachelor of Science in Business, and at the young age of 24 opened Elizabeth Michaels, a highly successful pageant, prom and bridal boutique. Elizabeth Michaels has been nominated for the prestigious “National Prom Store of the Year Award,” “Jasmine Bridals Store of the Year Finalist,” and “the Mid-Ohio Valley Formal Wear Store of the Year.” Jane is a keynote speaker, targeting the public schools and career days programs, through which she inspires young people to reach for excellence in their present and future lives. Using her public speaking abilities, Jane is regularly seen on television commercials, and her years of award- winning art training has provided her with skills that make her a frequently sought-after designer, producer, and make-up artist. She has served as a pageant and image consultant for numerous local, state and national winners, and Jane was one of the founders of the Miss West Virginia Outstanding Teen Scholarship Pageant, as well as director of the Wirt County Queen of the Fair program. She lives in Vienna with her husband Scheny, her son Harrison, and their two dogs.









Born in New York, then raised in Miami, Florida, Michael Gershe is an entertainer and educator who inspires audiences with his life story. As a victim/survivor of a drunken driving incident that killed his mother and nearly himself when he was barely 8 weeks old, he presents his alcohol awareness program “The Magic of Life” for high school and college students throughout the nation. Despite breaking nearly every bone and a fractured skull in the drunken driving incident, Michael went on to become a collegiate swimmer, stand-up comedian, college administrator and motivational speaker. Having been called "one of the most touching and inspirational speakers ", Gershe’s program combines stand- up comedy, audience participation and his inspirational story. He attended Ashland University on a swimming scholarship where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in communications and radio/tv. As a survivor of Hurricane Andrew, he returned to Ohio and earned his Master’s degree in Higher Education Administration from The University of Akron, where he advised student organizations and developed leadership programs. Michael has been performing stand-up comedy for over 13 years and has worked with comedy greats such as Diane Ford, George Wallace and Harry Anderson. He also serves as the Coordinator of Student Services for the College of Technology at Kent State University.









Dallas James Harris, of Ravenswood WV, is a professional hair stylist, makeup designer, and pageant consultant with clients who have earned such titles as: Miss WV National Sweetheart, Miss WV National Teenager, Miss WV Teen USA, Miss Sutton Fall Festival, Miss St. Albans Riverfest, Broaddus Homecoming Queen, Miss Ripley 4th of July, Miss Strawberry Festival Teen, Miss Jackson County Sweetheart, and Miss WV National American Miss. He is currently the director of the Ravenswood Octoberfest Pageant, and is also the board chair of the Ravenswood Festival of Trees. Dallas is actively involved in many aspects of his community including the Ravenswood Free Will Baptist Church, where he is a Worship Minister and Choir Director. His philosophy on life is "In all things exhibit excellence."











Originally from Hartford, Connecticut, Key McKinley is Mrs. Columbus International 2008 and is a proven multi-talented performer, producer, director, choreographer and small business owner. She has performed on countless stages in 14 states, and enjoys teaching dance and self-esteem building techniques to underprivileged youth. Because of her level of involvement in the area of community service, she has been recognized with many esteemed awards. Volunteering her time with Autism Speaks, Children’s Hospital, Hope Street Kids, the Boys & Girls Club, and children touched by cancer, Key also serves as the Co- Director and Production Manager of the Miss Black Ohio USA Scholarship Pageant. She is the founder of OIM Consulting where she offers small businesses a variety of services to make their businesses more profitable, and she also creates Key’s Discount Baskets & Gifts, and serves as a partner in her husband’s business, Talon Surveillance and Consulting. She is happily married to the love of her life, Markus, and they reside in Columbus with their two beautiful children.









Roland Tokarski is President and Chief Operating Officer of The Quandel Group, Inc. Roland understands the importance of chasing your dreams, as at the age of 26, he had the opportunity to grow a business from scratch for The Quandel Group in Ohio. With one other teammate, he began this operation in 1994 and has since grown it to a multi-million dollar business. He has authored numerous articles for the Daily Reporter, Builder’s Exchange, various trade organization publications, and has given dozens of presentations and seminars throughout the Midwest. He has served such organizations as the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Development Board, Meals on Wheels for Delaware County, the American Heart Association Heart Walk, Olentangy Rotary, Delaware Area Chamber of Commerce Board, and Lupus Foundation of America Tea for Tomorrow. Having a son that is deaf, Roland also serves as an active member on the Columbus Speech and Hearing Board and is committed to improving the learning environment for hard of hearing individuals throughout the region. Most recently, Roland was named one of Central Ohio’s “Forty under Forty” and was also just named the March of Dimes “Community Builder of the Year.” Roland is a graduate of Penn State University and University of Pittsburgh.