Miss Florida

American beauty pageant in Florida From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Miss Florida competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state of Florida in the Miss America pageant. Florida has twice won the Miss America crown.

Quick Facts Formation, Type ...
Miss Florida
Formation1922
TypeBeauty pageant
HeadquartersLakeland
Location
MembershipMiss America
Official language
English
Key people
Keith Williams (Executive Director)
WebsiteOfficial website
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In the fall of 2018, the Miss America Organization terminated Miss Florida organization's license as well as licenses from Georgia, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and West Virginia.[1][2] In December 2018, the Miss America Organization reinstated licensing for the Miss Florida Scholarship Pageant Inc., along with the organizations in Georgia, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and West Virginia.[3]

Casana Fink of Ocala was crowned Miss Florida 2024 on June 29, 2024, at the RP Funding Center in Lakeland, Florida. She placed 3rd Runner-Up at Miss America 2025.

Results summary

Summarize
Perspective

The following is a visual summary of the past results of Miss Florida titleholders at the national Miss America pageants/competitions. The year in parentheses indicates the year of the national competition during which a placement and/or award was garnered, not the year attached to the contestant's state title.

Placements

  • Miss Americas: Leanza Cornett (1993), Ericka Dunlap (2004)
  • 1st runners-up: Muriel Elizabeth Smith (1943), Ann Gloria Daniel (1955)
  • 2nd runners-up: Virginia Warlen (1944), Janet Ruth Crockett (1951), Carolyn Cline (1979), Lissette Gonzalez (1999)
  • 3rd runners-up: Virginia Freeland (1945), Carol Lynn Blum (1966), Myrrhanda Jones (2014), Victoria Cowen (2015), Taylor Tyson (2019), Casana Fink (2025)
  • 4th runners-up: Irmigard Dietel (1937), Gloria Smyley (1938), Mary Elizabeth Godwin (1952), Dorothy Maria Steiner (1958), Dawn Cashwell (1968), Cathy La Belle (1978), Marti Sue Phillips (1980), Sierra Minott (2009)
  • Top 10: Leona Fredericks (1942), Eileen Knapp (1942), Sandra Wirth (1956), Diane Colston (1967), Linda Fitts (1969), Lisa Donovan (1971), Ann K. Schmalzried (1976), Kim Boyce (1984), Jennifer Anne Sauder (1988), Melissa Aggeles (1989), Sandra Joanne Frick (1990), Christy Neuman (1998), Kelly Gaudet (2002), Mari Wilensky (2006), Mary Katherine Fechtel (2016), Leah Roddenberry (2022), Juliette Valle (2024)
  • Top 12: Elizabeth Hull (1935), Vernell Bush (1944)
  • Top 13: Kristina Janolo (2012)
  • Top 15: Ruth Wooddall (1925), Mary Jane Thomas (1938), Irmigard Dietel (1939), Rose Marie Magrill (1939), Mitzi Strother (1940 and 1941), Pepper Shore (1947), Rosemary Carpenter (1948), Michaela McLean (2020)
  • Top 16: Jacquelyn Jennings (1946), Kylie Williams (2008), Laura McKeeman (2013)

Awards

Preliminary awards

  • Preliminary Lifestyle and Fitness: Virginia Warlen (1944), Ann Gloria Daniel (1955), Melissa Aggeles (1989), Dana Rinehart Dalton (1991), Lissette Gonzalez (1999), Jenna Edwards (2005), Victoria Cowen (2015), Mary Katherine Fechtel (2016), Sara Zeng (2018)
  • Preliminary Talent: Gloria Smyley (1938), Virginia Warlen (1944), Pepper Shore (1947), Sandra Wirth (1956), Dawn Lauree Cashwell (1968), Linda Fitts (1969), Lisa Donovan (1971), Cathy La Belle (1978), Carolyn Cline (1979), Christy Neuman (1998), Myrrhanda Jones (2014), Taylor Tyson (2019)
  • Preliminary Evening Gown: Kelly Gaudet (2002)

Non-finalist awards

  • Non-finalist Talent: Barbara Jo Ivey (1972), Ellen Meade (1974), Delta Burke (1975), Monica Farrell (1986), Molly Pesce (1987), Mary Ann Olson (1992), Jamie Bolding (1997)
  • Non-finalist Interview: Megan Welch (1995), Jamie Bolding (1997)
  • Non-finalist Social Impact Pitch: Lindsay Bettis (2023)

Other awards

  • Equity and Justice Finalist: Leah Roddenberry (2022), Lindsay Bettis (2023)
  • Bernie Wayne Talent Award: Lissette Gonzalez (1999)
  • Charles & Theresa Brown Scholarship: Victoria Cowen (2015)
  • Dr. David B. Allman Medical Scholarship: Ann K. Schmalzried (1976), Ameigh Verderosa Worley (2006)
  • Final Night Evening Gown Award: Ericka Dunlap (2004)
  • Final Night Talent Award: Ericka Dunlap (2004)
  • Jean Bartel Social Impact Initiative Finalist: Leah Roddenberry (2022)
  • Quality of Life Award 1st runners-up: Kylie Williams (2008)
  • Quality of Life Award Finalists: Jenna Edwards (2005), Jaclyn Raulerson (2011)
  • Women in Business Finalists: Lindsay Bettis (2023)

Winners

Summarize
Perspective
  •   Declared as winner
  •   Ended as a runner-up
  •   Ended as a finalist or semi-finalist
More information Year, Name ...
Year Name Hometown Age Local Title Miss America Talent Placement at Miss America Special scholarships at Miss America Notes
2024 Casana Fink Ocala 25 Miss Tampa Lyrical Dance 3rd Runner-up Preliminary Evening Gown Award
2023 Juliette Valle Plantation 22 Miss Orlando Operatic Vocal, "Sempre Libera" from La Traviata by Giuseppe Verdi Top 11 The second Hispanic Miss Florida to be crowned in 87 years

The first Miss America contestant to deliver a bilingual onstage question response onstage

2022 Lindsay Bettis Ponte Vedra Beach 26 Miss Seminole County Jazz Dance Women in Business Finalist

Equity & Justice Finalist Non-finalist Social Impact Pitch Award

2021 Leah Roddenberry[4] Bradenton 22 Miss Tampa Dance Top 10 Equity and Justice Finalist

Jean Bartel Social Impact Initiative Finalist
Previously Miss Florida's Outstanding Teen 2013[5] and 2015[6]

First teen titleholder to hold the state title twice
2019–20 Michaela McLean[7][8] Clermont 21 Miss Florida Citrus Lyrical Dance, "You Say" Top 15[9] Previously Miss Florida's Outstanding Teen 2014[10]
Top 12 at Miss America's Outstanding Teen 2015 pageant[11]
2018 Taylor Tyson[12] Jupiter 23 Miss South Florida Fair Classical Piano, "Mephisto's Waltz" by Franz Liszt 3rd runner-up[13] Preliminary Talent Award[14] Accepted to Stetson University College of Law[15]
2017 Sara Zeng[16] Palm Coast 22 Miss Heart of Florida Classical Piano, "Fantaisie-Impromptu" in C Sharp minor by Frédéric Chopin Preliminary Lifestyle & Fitness Award[17]
2016 Courtney Sexton[18] Starke 23 Miss Orlando Jazz Dance, "I Got Love" Previously Miss Florida's Outstanding Teen 2008[19]

Top 10 at National Sweetheart 2015 pageant
2015 Mary Katherine Fechtel[20] Leesburg 19 Miss University of Florida Lyrical Dance, "Bridge Over Troubled Water" by Tessanne Chin Top 10 Preliminary Lifestyle & Fitness Award Sister of Miss America's Outstanding Teen 2012, Elizabeth Fechtel

Previously Miss Florida's Outstanding Teen 2010[21]
2014 Victoria Cowen[22] Panama City 21 Miss North Florida Lyrical Dance, "Note to God" 3rd runner-up[23] Charles & Theresa Brown Scholarship[24]

Preliminary Lifestyle & Fitness Award[25]
Originally first runner-up, assumed title after tabulation error resulted in Fechtel incorrectly being named the winner[22]
Elizabeth Fechtel[26] Leesburg 20 Miss University of Florida Dance, "Happy" by Pharrell Williams Did not compete; dethroned after a tabulation error was corrected[26][27]
Sister of Miss Florida 2015, Mary Katherine Fechtel

Previously Miss America's Outstanding Teen 2012[28]
2013 Myrrhanda Jones[29] Gainesville 19 Miss Palm Coast Baton, "Big Noise from Winnetka" 3rd runner-up[30] Preliminary Talent Award Previously Miss Florida's Outstanding Teen 2009[31]
2nd runner-up at Miss America's Outstanding Teen 2009 pageant[32]
2012 Laura McKeeman[33] St. Petersburg 23 Miss Pinellas County Ballet, La Esmeralda Top 16 Former reporter on and current host of SEC Nation on ESPN[34]
2011 Kristina Janolo[35] Kissimmee 24 Miss Winter Park Vocal, "Gold" Top 13 Contestant at National Sweetheart 2009 pageant
2010 Jaclyn Raulerson[36] Plant City 19 Miss Largo Vocal, "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing" Quality of Life Award Finalist
2009 Rachael Todd[37] Oviedo 22 Miss Suncoast Irish Step Dance, "Riverdance"
2008 Sierra Minott[38] Fort Myers 20 Miss Palm Beach County Theater Style Dance, "I Can Cook Too" from On the Town 4th runner-up Previously Miss Florida's Outstanding Teen 2005[39]
3rd runner-up at Miss America's Outstanding Teen 2005[40]
2007 Kylie Williams[41] Tallahassee 24 Miss Tallahassee Country Vocal, "I Want to Be a Cowboy's Sweetheart" Top 16 Quality of Life Award 1st runner-up[42]
2006 Allison Kreiger[43] Miami 23 Miss Miami Dance / Twirl, "I Will Live For Love"
2005 Mari Wilensky Jacksonville 21 Miss University of Florida Vocal, "Bridge Over Troubled Water" Top 10 Top 10 at National Sweetheart 2005 pageant

Assumed the crown when Cragg relinquished title
Candace Cragg Jacksonville Miss Jacksonville Did not compete; relinquished title when it was discovered she was not enrolled at the university where she won her local title
2004 Jenna Edwards[44] Miami 23 Miss Winter Park Popular Vocal, "Solitaire" Preliminary Swimsuit Award[45]

Quality of Life Award Finalist
Later Miss Florida USA 2007
2003 Shauna Pender Miss St. Petersburg Did not compete; originally 1st runner-up, later assumed title after Dunlap won Miss America 2004
Top 10 at National Sweetheart 2001 pageant
Ericka Dunlap[46] Orlando 21 Miss City Beautiful Vocal, "If I Could" Winner[46][47] Finals Evening Gown Award

Finals Talent Award
First African American to win the title of Miss Florida[48]
2002 Katherine Carson Sarasota 20 Miss Largo Vocal, "Gimme, Gimme" from Thoroughly Modern Millie
2001 Kelly Gaudet Miami 22 Miss Largo Lyrical Dance, "It's Time" Top 10 Preliminary Evening Gown Award Previously Miss Florida Teen USA 1996

4th runner-up at National Sweetheart 1999 pageant
2000 Candace Rodatz Orange Park 24 Miss First Coast Baton, "Sing, Sing, Sing"
1999 Kelli Meierhenry Orlando, Florida 24 Miss University of Central Florida Vocal, "What Will I Tell My Heart?"
1998 Lissette Gonzalez Miami 22 Miss Miami Vocal, "All That Jazz" 2nd runner-up Bernie Wayne Talent Award

Preliminary Swimsuit Award
1997 Christy Neuman Jacksonville 20 Miss University of North Florida Rhythmic Gymnastics Dance, Theme from Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves Top 10 Preliminary Talent Award
1996 Jamie Bolding Lakeland 22 Miss Mount Dora Lyrical Ballet, "Can You Read My Mind" Non-finalist Interview Award

Non-finalist Talent Award
1995 Kristin Ludecke Eustis 19 Miss Central Florida Classical Vocal, "O Luce di Quest'anima" from Linda di Chamounix Later Miss Florida USA 2000
1994 Megan Welch DeLand 20 Miss Mount Dora Classical Vocal Non-finalist Interview Award Previously National Sweetheart 1993
1993 Nicole Padgett Fort Myers 21 Miss Tampa Vocal, "You're Gonna Hear From Me" from Inside Daisy Clover
1992 Melinda Miller Miss Altamonte Springs Did not compete; later assumed title when Cornett won Miss America 1993
Leanza Cornett Jacksonville 21 Miss Winter Park Vocal, "A New Life" from Jekyll & Hyde Winner Previously National Sweetheart 1991
1991 Mary Ann Olson Sarasota 24 Miss Manatee County Vocal, "Where the Boys Are" Non-finalist Talent Award
1990 Dana Rinehart Dalton Orlando 23 Miss Orlando Dramatic Vocal, "If He Walked Into My Life" from Mame Preliminary Swimsuit Award
1989 Sandra Joanne Frick Hialeah 23 Miss Coral Springs Character Ballet en Pointe, "Yankee Doodle Dandy" Top 10
1988 Melissa Aggeles St. Petersburg 24 Miss Manatee County Vocal / Dance, "Show Stopper" Top 10 Preliminary Swimsuit Award Previously National Sweetheart 1987
1987 Jennifer Anne Sauder Homestead 22 Miss Homestead Semi-classical Vocal, "If We Were In Love" from Yes, Giorgio Top 10
1986 Molly Pesce Longwood 23 Miss Seminole County Vocal medley from Cabaret Non-finalist Talent Award
1985 Monica Farrell Jacksonville 21 Miss Jacksonville University Classical Piano, "Prelude No. 5 in G Minor" by Sergei Rachmaninoff Non-finalist Talent Award Sister of Miss New York 1984, Mary-Ann Farrell, and Miss Illinois 1992, Kathleen Farrell

Later Miss Florida USA 1988
3rd runner-up at Miss USA 1988 pageant

Aunt of Miss Ohio 2022, Elizabetta Nies

1984 Lisa Valdez Bradenton 21 Miss Manatee County Vocal, "Through the Eyes of Love"
1983 Kim Boyce Bradenton 22 Miss Manatee County Popular Vocal, "Rainbow Connection" & "Over the Rainbow" Top 10
1982 Deanna Pitman Apopka 22 Miss Sanford Lyrical Dance, "I Hope I Get It" from A Chorus Line
1981 Dean Herman Jacksonville 23 Miss Jacksonville Gymnastics Dance, "They're Playing Our Song"
1980 Caroline Dungan Bradenton 21 Miss Manatee County Piano, "Deep Purple"
1979 Marti Sue Phillips Tampa 22 Miss Manatee County Jazz Clarinet Medley, Rhapsody In Blue & "Begin the Beguine" 4th runner-up
1978 Wendy Sue Cheatham Bonita Springs Miss Lee County N/A Initially was 2nd runner-up at Miss Florida 1978 pageant

Assumed the crown after Cline relinquished the title to continue to pursue her career as a singer and musician in November 1978.
Carolyn Cline Brandon 25 Miss Tampa Piano / Vocal, "Love Story" 2nd runner-up Preliminary Talent Award Previously Miss New Mexico USA 1973
1977 Cathy La Belle Tampa 20 Popular Vocal, "He Touched Me" from Drat! The Cat! 4th runner-up Preliminary Talent Award
1976 Nancy Stafford Ft. Lauderdale 22 Miss Ft. Lauderdale Piano, "Send In the Clowns"
1975 Ann K. Schmalzried Ft. Lauderdale 19 Miss University of Florida Classical Piano, "Gardens In the Rain" Top 10 Dr. David B Allman Medical Scholarship
1974 Delta Burke Orlando 18 Miss Orlando Dramatic monologue, "Anne Boleyn" Non-finalist Talent Award Later gained fame as an actress, most notably on Designing Women[citation needed]
1973 Ellen Meade Bradenton 20 Miss Manatee County Ballet Roller Skating, "The Black Swan" Non-finalist Talent Award Ellen Rowena Meade Thomas passed away in Bradenton, Florida at age 70 on August 27, 2023.
1972 Suzanne Charles Fort Lauderdale 20 Miss Miami Ballet, "Dance of the Painted Doll"
1971 Barbara Jo Ivey Winter Park 19 Miss Winter Park Piano, "Toccata" Non-finalist Talent Award
1970 Lisa Donovan Sarasota 21 Miss Sarasota Vocal, "Feeling Good" Top 10 Preliminary Talent Award
1969 Lynne Edea Topping Marco Island 20 Miss Dade County Ballet, "Kismet"
1968 Linda Fitts Panama City 20 Miss Panama City Charleston Dance, "Twelfth Street Rag" Top 10 Preliminary Talent Award
1967 Dawn Cashwell Pensacola 22 Miss Pensacola Baton Twirling, "Blue Tango" 4th runner-up Preliminary Talent Award Contestant at National Sweetheart 1963 pageant, representing Georgia
1966 Christine Torgeson Miss Manatee County N/A Assumed the crown after Colston relinquished the title[49]
Diane Colston Sarasota 19 Miss Sarasota Vocal, "Rock-a-Bye Your Baby with a Dixie Melody" Top 10 Relinquished the title after competing at Miss America 1967 pageant[49]
1965 Carol Lynn Blum Miami Beach 21 Miss Fort Lauderdale Classical Vocal, "Il Bacio" by Luigi Arditi 3rd runner-up
1964 Priscilla Schnarr Hollywood 18 Miss Hollywood Vocal / Dance, "Whatever Lola Wants"
1963 Flora Jo Chandonnet North Miami Miss Miami Semi-classical Vocal, "One Kiss" from The New Moon
1962 Gloria Brody Jacksonville 19 Miss Duval County Interpretive Ballet, Theme from "Exodus"
1961 Sherry Grimes Sarasota 18 Miss Sarasota Vocal, "My Man's Gone Now"
1960 Kathy Magda Fort Lauderdale 19 Miss Fort Lauderdale Dramatic monologue from Our Town
1959 Nancy Rae Purvis Bradenton 18 Miss Bradenton Dramatic monologue
1958 Dianne Tauscher Orlando Miss Orlando Ballet, "Canadian Sunset"
1957 Dorothy Maria Steiner Boca Raton Miss Boca Raton Dramatic reading, "Such Is Your Heritage" 4th runner-up
1956 Sally Fisher Miami Miss Coral Gables Vocal / Dance, "Life Upon the Wicked Stage" from Show Boat
1955 Sandra Wirth Miami Miss Miami Fire Baton, "Jazz Medley" Top 10 Preliminary Talent Award
1954 Ann Gloria Daniel Dade City Miss Dade City Accordion, "Lady of Spain" 1st runner-up Preliminary Swimsuit Award
1953 Marjorie Simmons Tampa Miss Tampa Dance, "Slaughter on Tenth Avenue"
1952 Marcia Crane Orlando Miss Gainesville Piano, "Gershwin Prelude"
1951 Mary Elizabeth Godwin Gainesville Miss University of Florida Pantomime, "Betty Boop" 4th runner-up
1950 Janet Ruth Crockett St. Petersburg Miss St. Petersburg Vocal & Pantomime from The Perils of Pauline 2nd runner-up Assumed title when Corine Gustafson was disqualified for being underage
1949 Shirley Ann Rhodes Tampa Miss Tampa Vocal, "Put Your Shoes On, Lacy"
1948 Rosemary Carpenter Miami Beach Miss Miami Classical piano & accordion, "Fantasie Impromptu" & "Two Guitars" Top 15
1947 Eula Ann McGehee St. Petersburg Miss Florida Magic act Multiple Florida representatives

Contestants competed under local title at Miss America pageant
Pepper Shore Miami Miss Miami Beach Interpretive dance of the South Seas Top 15 Preliminary Talent Award
1946 Jacquelyn Jennings Miss Florida Pantomime, "Just a Square In a Social Circle" Top 16 Multiple Florida representatives

Contestants competed under local title at Miss America pageant
Jini Boyd Miami Miss Miami Beach
1945 Virginia Freeland Miss Florida Fashion Show & Vocal, "Rum and Coca-Cola" 3rd runner-up Multiple Florida representatives

Contestants competed under local title at Miss America pageant
Ray Evelyn Crist Miami Miss Miami Beach
1944 Virginia Warlen Miss Florida Violin, "Intermezzo" 2nd runner-up Preliminary Swimsuit Award

Preliminary Talent Award
Multiple Florida representatives

Contestants competed under local title at Miss America pageant
Vernell Bush Miami Miss Miami Vocal, "It Had to Be You" Top 12
1943 Muriel Elizabeth Smith Miss Florida Acrobatic Baton 1st runner-up Multiple Florida representatives

Contestants competed under local title at Miss America pageant
Dolly Bowles Miss Miami
1942 Eileen Knapp Miss Florida Tap Dance, "Bye Bye Blues" Top 10 Multiple Florida representatives

Contestants competed under local title at Miss America pageant
Leona Fredericks Miami Miss Miami Vocal, "Nobody's Baby" Top 10
1941 Mitzi Strother[50] Miss Florida Top 15 Multiple Florida representatives

Contestants competed under local title at Miss America pageant
Anna Louise Baker[50] Miami Miss Miami
1940 Mitzi Strother Miami Miss Miami Top 15 Competed under local title at Miss America pageant
1939 Rose Marie Magrill Miss Florida[51] Tap Dance Top 15[51] Multiple Florida representatives

Contestants competed under local title at Miss America pageant
Irmigard Dietel Miss Miami Vocal Medley, "See You Again," "Blue Evening," & "Solitude" Top 15
1938 Mary Joyce Walsh Miami Miss Florida Vocal / Ballet Multiple Florida representatives

Contestants competed under local title at Miss America pageant
Patricia Hollran Miss Delray Beach Vocal, "A-Tisket, A-Tasket"
Mary Jane Thomas Fort Lauderdale Miss Fort Lauderdale Top 15
Gloria Smyley Jacksonville Miss Jacksonville Acrobatic dance 4th runner-up Preliminary Talent Award
1937 Mary P. Hollran Delray Beach Miss Delray Beach Multiple Florida representatives

Contestants competed under local title at Miss America pageant
Frances Powell Miss Jacksonville
Irmigard Dietel Miss Miami Vocal 4th runner-up
1936 No Florida representative at Miss America pageant[52]
1935 Elizabeth Hull Plant City Miss Plant City Vocal medley, "East of the Sun" & "When I Grow Too Old to Dream" Top 12
1934 No national pageant was held[53]
1933 No Florida representative at Miss America pageant[54]
1932 No national pageants were held[53]
1931
1930
1929
1928
1927 Marcia Hands Miss Miami N/A[55] Competed under local title at national pageant
1926 Margaret Jennell Tate
1925 Ruth Wooddall Miss Miami Top 15 Multiple Florida representatives

Contestants competed under local title at national pageant
Lucy Davis Yonge Miss Pensacola
1924 Roberta Russell Miss Jacksonville Multiple Florida representatives

Contestants competed under local title at national pageant
Margaret Swindell Miss Lakeland
Lottie Eitzen Miss Pensacola
Virginia McRae Miss Tampa
Frances Payne Miss West Palm Beach
1923 Alyce Phillips[56] Jacksonville Miss Jacksonville Multiple Florida representatives

Contestants competed under local title at national pageant
Mary Weaver[57] Lakeland Miss Lakeland
Katherine Kyle[58] Miami Miss Miami
Katherine Floyd[59][60] Pensacola Miss Pensacola
1922 Eleanor Logan[61] Jacksonville 19
Competed as Miss Florida at pageant
1921 No Florida representative at Miss America pageant[62]
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Executive director accusations

Mary Sullivan, the longtime executive director of Miss Florida until her resignation in 2018, was arrested in 2022 and accused of stealing around $100,000 from the program from 20112018. The arrest came after an investigation into past financial irregularities by the Board of Directors after her retirement. She was accused of redirecting non-profit donations intended for use on scholarships to her own account, which she spent on personal matters such as maid service and dating sites.[63][64]

References

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