By Diana Blowers
Contributing Writer, Dayton Daily News, Thursday, May 7, 2009

Sandy Hyde could be called “Mrs. Manners.” She has been called Mrs. Ohio.

The president and founder of the Etiquette School of Ohio in Beavercreek was Mrs. Ohio USA 1992.

The New York native and Beavercreek resident has a bachelor’s degree in Arts, Finance and Management from Allegheny College in Meadville, Pa.

“It is a special triple departmental major in Economics, Communications, and Business Management specifically designed to manage visual and performing arts,” said Hyde, a certified fitness instructor and a certified ballroom dance instructor, who also is certified by the American School of Protocol as an etiquette consultant

She and her husband of 22 years, Kevin Hyde, met when they were both involved in theater in New York.

“He played the violin in the pit orchestra while I performed in the show. I literally danced into his life,” said Hyde, who has appeared in local theatrical productions such as “Crazy For You” and “She Loves Me” at Beavercreek Community Theatre.

As Mrs. Ohio USA 1992, she placed in the top 10 at the national Mrs. USA pageant.

“I had just recovered from an illness and needed a goal to get myself back in shape for. I really didn’t plan on winning. I just thought it would be a great way to better myself and meet other women from Ohio,” she said.

During her reign as Mrs. Ohio, she worked with inner-city children, shelters and cancer patients, “encouraging them to never give up and reach for their dreams.”

She also volunteered as a docent for the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra, helping educate students about the instruments and orchestra’s music.

“I used my ballroom dance skills in schools and senior centers to promote physical activity, volunteered as amphitheater administrator of the Centerville Amphitheater and organized the entertainment for the Centerville Americana Festival,” said Hyde, who also was a spokesperson for the American Cancer Society and the Dayton Heart Association.

She has been a model for Kodak and various other companies in western New York and, while attending college, was an alternate with the Radio City Music Hall Rockettes.

After her year as Mrs. Ohio USA, she opened a ladies-only fitness center in Springboro, Shapely Lady, and operated it for six years.

As Mrs. Ohio USA, she worked with children and young adults promoting her “Be Your Best Self” platform. Later she worked as a college director of career services, preparing soon-to-be graduates for the workforce.

“In both of these situations, I noticed many of these young people lacked basic etiquette skills that could help give them confidence in both a social and professional environment,” she said.

As a result, she became a certified etiquette consultant and opened the Etiquette School of Ohio at 348 Yorkshire Lane in Beavercreek where she teaches dining, business and social etiquette skills to school children, college students and corporate employees.

While most of her classes, which range from private lessons and small classes to large seminars, are conducted in the Miami Valley, she does travel throughout Ohio and the United States.

She also currently teaches ballroom dance and fitness classes in the University of Dayton’s Department of Health and Sport Science.

For more information on the Etiquette School of Ohio, call (937) 469-4800 or visit www.etiquetteschoolofohio.com.