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My Miss Florida Journey
The Miss Florida Organization has been woven into nearly every chapter of my life. What began as a young girl looking up to titleholders as a Sunshine Princess evolved into a journey that helped me discover my own purpose. Over the years, the organization has provided me with opportunities to earn scholarships, serve communities across Florida, advocate for causes close to my heart, and develop the confidence to lead. It has challenged me to grow through both triumphs and setbacks, while surrounding me with mentors and friendships that have left a lasting impact. More than anything, the Miss Florida Organization has shown me that our stories have the power to inspire others and create meaningful change.
$25,250
Scholarships Earned
33,989
Miles travelled as a Miss Florida local titleholder
Top 5
Placement
3x
Prelim Winner Talent (2x) and Evening Gown
261
Appearances as a Miss Florida local titleholder
15
Years in the Miss Florida Organization
Miss Manatee 2026
25 Appearances | $3,750 Scholarships Earned | 7,643 Miles Travelled
During my year as Miss Manatee, I have focused my efforts on high-level advocacy, public policy, and expanding the reach of concussion awareness across the state. I lobbied in Washington, D.C. alongside the Brain Injury Association of America and had the distinct honor of securing an official mayoral proclamation from Palmetto Mayor Dan West, naming May 7th Concussion Awareness Day. To turn awareness into actionable support, I launched the Brain Injury Volunteer Corp Ambassador Program in collaboration with the University of Florida’s BRAIN Center, established "The Blue Bag Project," and designed a dedicated merchandise line, "The Resilience Club," to foster a community of support for brain injury survivors. I also continued my brain injury education efforts speaking to students in the Manatee/Sarasota area.
My commitment to this cause allowed me to step onto platforms as a guest at the National Neurotrauma Society Conference and a speaker at Brain Injury Florida’s Educational Conference. It was a privilege to carry the spirit and dedication of the Manatee community with me throughout my reign, bridging the gap between medical research, legislative policy, and grassroots community action.
Some of my most memorable community appearances include giving copies of Colorful Curtain Call: A Performing Arts Coloring Book for Kids at MCR’s Arts and Health Fair at the Ringling Museum, performing at the Desoto Queen’s Selection, riding in the Desoto Grande Parade, and walking in the Casey Cares Fashion Show.
Miss Tampa 2025
100 Appearances | $13,100 Scholarships Earned | 8424 Miles Travelled
As Miss Tampa, I leveraged my title to champion healthcare advocacy, philanthropy, and the arts, culminating in a 3rd Runner-Up finish at the Miss Florida competition. Throughout my reign, I served as Alpha Delta Pi’s Director of Philanthropy, leading campaigns that raised $53,000 for the Ronald McDonald House of Tampa Bay. My passion for combining brain injury advocacy with community education led me to lobby in Washington, D.C., speak at Dallas College’s School of Health Sciences, and publish Colorful Curtain Call: A Performing Arts Coloring Book for Kids, which became an Amazon #1 Best Seller. I also felt fortunate to participate in The Great American Teach In, speaking to students about resilience and the importance of never giving up.
Representing the Tampa community, the place where I attend school and have spent so much of my time growing up, on the Miss Florida stage was an unforgettable experience. I was named both a Preliminary Talent and Evening Gown Winner, a Community Service Initiative Award Finalist, and the recipient of the Women in Healthcare Award. My efforts during this impactful year were celebrated back home at the University of South Florida, where I was recognized as a “Boundless Bull” and awarded the prestigious Seal of USF by former President Rhea Law.
Some of my most memorable community appearances include riding in the Gasparilla Parade, walking in the Tampa Bay Heart Walk, attending the Tampa Bay Business Hall of Fame Awards, attending the Cannon Fire Event celebrating the kickoff of the Tampa Bay Bucs 50th Anniversary Season, walking in the Runway for a Cause Fashion Show, and riding in the USF Homecoming Parade.
Miss Winter Haven 2024
36 Appearances | $1,650 Scholarships Earned | 4,894 Miles Travelled
During my reign as Miss Winter Haven, I focused heavily on the expansion of my initiative, The Blue Project: Integrating Neuroscience and the Arts Inc. I traveled to Washington, D.C. to lobby for brain injury resources with the Brain Injury Association of America and was appointed to Florida’s Brain Injury Advisory Board, giving me a direct hand in creating the state's Brain Injury Action Plan. Additionally, I became the youngest member ever inducted into the Brain Injury Association of America’s Speaker’s Bureau, amplifying the voices of survivors on a national scale. I spoke to students about brain injuries and resilience building as well as shared my personal story in classrooms around Polk County.
I was incredibly proud to represent my hometown of Winter Haven at the Miss Florida competition, where my advocacy and presentation earned me a spot in the Top 10. My dedication to intersecting technical knowledge with community outreach was further celebrated on the state stage, where I was honored as the recipient of the Women in STEAM Award.
Some of my most memorable community appearances include attending the grand opening of the new Advent Health Emergency room in Winter Haven (where I sat in an Advent Health Helicopter), attending and speaking at an iconic Winter Haven Ski Show, riding in the Havendale Christmas Parade, celebrating the 100th Birthday of a hometown veteran, and being presented at a City Commission meeting by mayor Nat Birdsong.
Miss Gainesville 2023
42 Appearances | $2,400 Scholarships Earned | 6,340 Miles Travelled
As Miss Gainesville, I delved into legislative advocacy for arts education while continuing my work with my 501(c)(3) nonprofit Peace Love Leotards Inc. A major highlight of my year was traveling to Tallahassee to lobby on Capitol Hill, meeting with lawmakers to advocate for the vital importance of funding arts education in Florida schools. Through Peace Love Leotards, I continued a partnership with Ballet and Books, a national organization that promoted the connection between literacy and the arts for children. This year also marked a major chapter of growth as I transferred to the University of South Florida’s Judy Genshaft Honors College to study psychology on a pre-medical track, allowing me to begin pursuing my path towards medical school and start The Blue Project: Integrating Neuroscience and the Arts Inc.
Representing Gainesville at the Miss Florida competition was an incredible honor, where I successfully placed in the Top 10. Beyond the pageant stage, I poured into my campus community by becoming an active member of the Epsilon Lambda Chapter of Alpha Delta Pi, further strengthening my network of service, sisterhood, and philanthropy.
Some of my most memorable appearances include attending the American Heart Association’s Heart Ball in Gainesville, riding in UF’s Homecoming Parade, walking in the The Children’s Heart Foundation Heart Walk, teaching line dancing at a Junior League of Gainesville Fundraiser (post car accident), and attending the Dance Alive National Ballet Champagne Gala.
Miss Emerald Coast 2022
15 Appearances | $3,100 Scholarships Earned | 2,836 Miles Travelled
My time as Miss Emerald Coast marked the beginning of both my Miss journey in the Miss Florida Organization and my rehabilitation journey for my brain injury. After resting for several months, I was given permission to compete in a Miss Florida local competition by my doctors and start post-concussive rehabilitation. Miss Emerald Coast was the last competition of the local season in 2022 and a sweeps title. I had 2 months to prepare for Miss Florida and I focused my time continuing the work that I had done with Peace Love Leotards Inc. as a teen.
At the Miss Florida competition, I was thrilled to be named a Preliminary Talent Winner and secure a placement in the Top 15. My artistic excellence and performance depth throughout my reign were further recognized with two distinct honors: the Tyson Award for Classical Performing Artists and the Rising Star Award, marking a beautiful milestone in the beginning of my journey as a Miss titleholder.
Miss Gainesville’s Outstanding Teen 2020 & 2021
43 Appearances | $1,250 Scholarships Earned | 3,852 Miles Travelled
Serving as Miss Gainesville’s Teen during an unprecedented double-year term allowed me to lay the foundational groundwork for a lifetime of service, non-profit leadership, and arts advocacy. During this time, I officially incorporated Peace Love Leotards into a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, expanding it to include a global ambassador program, partnerships with nine global dancewear brands, and over $40,000 in donated dancewear. I also launched an online virtual dance training curriculum to keep young dancers connected, earning features in over 20 media outlets including Pointe Magazine and Dance Spirit Magazine. During this time, I appeared in the documentary On Pointe on Disney+ which focused on the life of dancers at my ballet school, The School of American Ballet.
In addition to my non-profit growth, I was named a "Role Model" by Inspiring Teens Magazine and served as a speaker on Equip Her’s Young Difference Makers Panel. I brought this momentum to the Miss Florida’s Outstanding Teen competition, where I proudly placed in the Top 10, proving that a local title can be a powerful catalyst for global community impact.
While most of my appearances were ones that I created virtually due to the Covid-19 Pandemic, some of my most memorable community appearances include hosting a community food drive, reading a children’s book via the Reading with Royalty platform, packing food with Food4Kids in Gainesville, attending the Sporting Clay Tournament benefitting the Ronald McDonald House, and donating books to the little free libraries around Gainesville.
Florida Sunshine Mentee
For five years, I had the privilege of participating in the Florida Sunshine Princess Program, now known as the Florida Sunshine Ambassador Program. While many people see the program as an opportunity for young girls to attend appearances and community events, for me it became so much more. It was where I first learned what it meant to serve others, lead with purpose, and use a title as a platform for impact.
Throughout those five years, I was mentored by three extraordinary women: Taylor Tyson, who would later become Miss Florida 2018, Breanna McDonald, and Megan Moore. As a young girl, I admired them not because of the crowns they wore, but because of the way they carried themselves. I watched them dedicate countless hours to their communities, connect with people from all walks of life, and approach every appearance with kindness, humility, and grace. They showed me that true success is not measured by accolades, but by the lives you touch along the way.
Their example inspired me to create Peace Love Leotards, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing dancewear to young dancers in need. Even at a young age, I understood that if these women could use their platforms to make a difference, I could too. What began as a simple desire to help others ultimately grew into a lifelong commitment to service and community engagement.
Looking back, I realize those five years shaped the person I am today. The lessons I learned as a Sunshine Princess laid the foundation for my future work as a nonprofit founder, advocate, and titleholder. More importantly, they taught me that leadership begins with service and that the greatest legacy we can leave is the impact we make on others. The women who inspired me as a young girl became the blueprint for the leader I became, and their influence continues to guide me in everything I do today.
