Latest news with #MissFloridaTeenUSA
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Miss Florida USA 2025 is a UF Gator; five other things to know about Palm Beach resident
The Palm Beach resident who claimed the Miss Florida USA crown in May is no stranger to competing in beauty pageants — or winning them. Lou Schieffelin, 25, a longtime professional model, aspiring pilot and director of marketing for a prominent Palm Beach real estate agent, secured her second crown on the Miss USA circuit on May 25. She previously was the 2018 Miss Florida Teen USA. The title comes one year after Schieffelin finished as second runner-up in the Miss Florida USA pageant. She will represent Florida at the Miss USA 2025 competition this fall, though a date and location have not been set. The Miss USA winner represents the United States at the Miss Universe competition, which will be held in November in Thailand. Here are five things to know about Miss Florida USA 2025 Lou Schieffelin: Schieffelin, who celebrated her 25th birthday June 7, spent her childhood in Greenwich, Connecticut, a city of 63,000 in the southwest corner of the state. She moved to Winter Park as a teenager and attended The First Academy in Orlando, where she played on the school's varsity volleyball team. Schieffelin went on to graduate from the University of Florida. Schieffelin has been a professional model for 16 years, following in her mom Stacey's footsteps. Stacey Schieffelin was a cover, catalog and runway model for more than 20 years, and she was instrumental in getting Lou and her sister, Knox, into modeling at a young age. As a child, Lou Schieffelin appeared on the cover of American Girl magazine, and she went on to work with brands like Ralph Lauren, Max Mara and Oscar de la Renta. Schieffelin said she has stepped away "a bit" from modeling, but she remains grateful for what it has offered her during the past 16 years. "It's been an amazing experience," she said. Schieffelin relocated to Palm Beach a year ago, moving in with a friend. She joined Margit Brandt's real estate office team as a director of marketing and licensed executive assistant, a role she told the Daily News she really enjoys. "She's obviously been very successful on the island," Schieffelin said of Brandt, who is affiliated with Premier Estate Properties. "I feel very honored to even be on the team." Both of Schieffelin's grandfathers were involved in aviation. One was a B-17 fighter pilot in World War II, and the other was a U.S. Army paratrooper. "Planes are kind of in my family, and I'm grateful to be able to continue the legacy," she said. Schieffelin's grandfather, Ed Stetler, operates a general livestock farm in Lakeland, and Schieffelin often visited during her childhood. "I definitely was dirty more than I was clean when I was little," she said. "I grew up in the mud. We were kind of in that southern tradition, like respect and hospitality and good business and handshakes. I'm grateful for my grandfather for raising me and my sister that way." Jodie Wagner is a journalist at the Palm Beach Daily News, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. You can reach her at jwagner@ This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Miss Florida USA 2025: Facts on Lou Schieffelin in Palm Beach
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Miss Florida Teen USA grows up, moves to Palm Beach County, lands new crown. What's next?
The woman who will be representing the Sunshine State in the Miss USA 2025 competition this fall and who now holds the title Miss Florida USA for the next year, is a recent transplant to Palm Beach County. Lou Schiefflin, 24, grew up in Connecticut and Orlando, then spent some time in Miami, before moving to Palm Beach "on a whim" a year ago. And even before she edged out 70 other competitors to land the Miss Florida crown in May, her life seemed pretty busy. She is a model and aspiring pilot who also works with a prominent Palm Beach luxury real estate agent. Schiefflin is not new to the pageant circuit. The title marks her second on the Miss USA circuit, following her 2017 reign as Miss Florida Teen USA. Schieffelin said her pageant experience this year, however, was very different from the first time she competed. This time, her father, David, wasn't here to support her. He died just a month before the pageant got underway. The loss significantly influenced her outlook, she said. "It was a lot about friendship and creating memories and working with all of these amazing nonprofits," she told the Daily News of her pageant experience. "This year, our organization we partnered with was Food for the Hungry. When I arrived on pageant weekend, I picked two little girls to sponsor. I think just the perspective on this year was very different for me after losing my dad." Schieffelin hoped to do well at the pageant, but she said winning wasn't her main objective. "I was just grateful to be there and be able to make my family proud, and that resulted in a victory," she said. "It was very unexpected and humbling." Schieffelin is set to represent Florida at the Miss USA 2025 competition this fall, though a date and location have not been set. The Miss USA winner represents the United States at the Miss Universe competition, which will be held in November in Thailand. In the meantime, Schieffelin will reign as Miss Florida USA for the next year. During that time, she will act as an ambassador for both Florida and the Miss USA organization, attending events and promoting civic involvement. "This whole year is about representing Florida, no matter what happens at Miss USA," Schieffelin said. "That's kind of how I went into competing for Miss Florida. I'm excited." Schieffelin said she has long prioritized community service, and she is eager to continue making a difference as Miss Florida USA. "Getting out into the community, speaking with people, meeting with children — a lot of that is about giving back," she said. "I remember when I was younger, seeing a girl in a crown was such an exciting thing for me. I thought that was like a real-life princess. And so we want to marry that with giving back and community involvement and community enrichment, and I think Palm Beach is an amazing place for that because there are so many charity events, and it's such a hub for philanthropy." Schieffelin, who has been modeling professionally for 16 years, came to Palm Beach and moved in with a friend. She joined Margit Brandt's real estate office team as a director of marketing and licensed executive assistant, a role she says she really enjoys. "She's obviously been very successful on the island," Schieffelin said of Brandt, who is affiliated with Premier Estate Properties. "I feel very honored to even be on the team and been granted the support they've given me this year to pursue pageants alongside my responsibilities with them." Schieffelin also is pursuing her private pilot's license, and she hopes to complete her training by the end of the year. Both of her grandfathers were involved in aviation, and she looks forward to following in their footsteps. "One was a B-17 fighter pilot in World War II, and the other was an Army paratrooper," Schieffelin said. "Planes are kind of in my family, and I'm grateful to be able to continue the legacy on." Though the remainder of her year will be filled with professional and pageant commitments, Schieffelin's focus remains on leading with purpose and honoring her late father. "This year is really about leading with heart, making my dad proud and doing things that I know he would be excited for me to do, and just proud of me to do within the Florida community and with young people," she said. "I'm just trying to give them a role model." Jodie Wagner is a journalist at the Palm Beach Daily News, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. You can reach her at jwagner@ This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Palm Beach County woman to represent Florida at Miss USA 2025
Yahoo
06-03-2025
- Yahoo
Kadance Fredericksen named forever Miss Okaloosa County Teen USA — title retired
BAKER, Fla. – The Miss Florida Teen USA organization has officially retired the title of Miss Okaloosa County Teen USA — permanently awarding it to Kadance Fredericksen in her memory. UPDATE: NAS Pensacola lifts lockdown after reports of shots fired onboard Corry Station The announcement was made by Jaclyn Nesheiwat Stapp, director of Miss Florida Teen USA, in honor of Fredericksen's lasting impact on the pageant community. 'From this moment on, Kadance will always be the FOREVER Miss Okaloosa County Teen USA,' Lisa Fredericksen, Kadance's mother, shared in a statement. 'There are no words to fully express what this means to us.' Kadance, 18, died in a car crash on Feb. 17. She had been involved in pageantry for years and used her platform to support charitable causes, including founding 'Kada's Promise,' a nonprofit that donated more than 15,000 teddy bears to children in crisis. Her family said the title retirement is a meaningful tribute to her legacy. Wild black bear hunting may become legal soon in Florida 'It feels amazing. In one aspect, it's hard to believe that my daughter at 18 could have had such an impact. But at the same time, it doesn't surprise me. That's just who she was,' said her father, Matt Fredericksen. Kadance's family said future pageant contestants will now represent their city rather than Okaloosa County. 'She was more than a titleholder. She was a light in this world, and she will always be remembered that way,' Lisa Fredericksen said. Kadance had been accepted to Mississippi State University and Auburn University, where she planned to study veterinary medicine. She was also a National Honor Society member and recipient of the Ellison McCraney Ingram Foundation Scholarship. Miss Florida Teen USA officials said the title retirement is a permanent decision, ensuring that Kadance's name will always be part of the pageant's history. Travis Lofton sentenced after killing Daphne restaurant manager 'We are grateful to everyone who continues to love and remember Kadance,' her mother said. 'She may not be physically here, but her love, kindness, and passion will never fade.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
03-03-2025
- Yahoo
Woman Hit After Piece of Power Tool Crashes Through Windshield During Drive to Disney World: 'I Could've Died'
A Massachusetts mom is speaking out after a piece of a power tool crashed through her windshield while she traveled to Disney World with her family. Chynna Higgins was about an hour from their final stop in Florida when the object came flying at the vehicle, according to WHDH and ABC affiliate WCVB-TV. Higgins said she heard 'the loudest bang you could imagine' before she was hit in the face with the object — a seven-inch power tool battery. 'I was like, did I really? Is this really happening? It didn't seem real,' the mom recalled, WHDH reported. Related: Miss Florida Teen USA Contestant Died in Crash Just 3 Minutes from Home, Mom Says (Exclusive) Soon, Higgins realized she was hurt. 'I saw my eye through the rearview mirror and I was bleeding, bleeding everywhere,' she explained. Higgins was able to safely pull the car off the road until help could arrive, according to WCVB-TV. Her two kids, who were in the back seat, were horrified. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. "I could've died is the scary thing,' Higgins told the station, adding, 'my guardian angels need a raise because this is crazy.' Higgins was eventually taken to a local hospital, where she received 11 stitches, according to the reports. Related: Idaho Girl, 10, Dies After Rock Crashes Through Car Windshield in 'Terrible Traffic Accident' It is unclear where the power tool battery came from, though the Massachusetts mom believes it likely came from a landscaping vehicle. Higgins, who is a landscaper herself, told WHDH that she is 'just thankful to be alive' and was able to continue her trip to Disney World. She still took plenty of photos on the trip, even with her injury from the 'traumatic morning,' according to WCVB-TV. "We had a great time,' Higgins said. 'It could've been a way different outcome, and I'm more than grateful that it wasn't.' Read the original article on People
Yahoo
21-02-2025
- Yahoo
Miss Florida Contestant Kadance Fredericksen Died in a Car Crash ‘3 Minutes From Home,' Her Mom Says
Kadance Fredericksen, a Miss Florida Teen USA contestant, died in a car crash just 'three minutes from home,' says her mother, Lisa Fredericksen. Lisa, 48, spoke with People for a story published on Wednesday, February 19, two days after Kadance's death at the age of 18. The teen was driving in Santa Rosa County on Monday, February 17, when her car went over the center line and crashed head-on into a tractor-trailer. Kadance was pronounced dead at the scene. "She was literally three minutes from home," Lisa told the outlet, adding, 'I have no idea what happened.' Neither did the Florida Highway Patrol when they filed their report on Monday's crash, stating that Kadance's vehicle had crossed into the opposite lane 'for reasons unknown.' An investigation into the tragedy continues. Celebrity Deaths of 2025: Aubrey Plaza's Husband Jeff Baena and More Stars We've Lost This Year Lisa adopted Kadance seven years ago; her daughter had been abused earlier in her childhood. In 2024, Kadance was a finalist for the Miss Florida Teen USA title and was also crowned Miss Okaloosa County Teen USA. 'She came home one day and she said, 'Mama, can I do a beauty pageant?' "And I said, 'Well, yeah, but if you do a beauty pageant, you have to talk in front of people,' because she still didn't talk a whole lot,' Lisa said in her People interview, adding, "And she did it. She bought the ugliest dress she could find because she just wanted to be like a princess. She didn't win a thing. But she was hooked." Kadance had raised more than $25,000 for the Ronald McDonald House since volunteering at the charity starting in 2017. That year, she founded Kada's Promise, which provides teddy bears and blankets to kids in foster care, homeless shelters, abuse shelters and hospitals. Remembering Ballerina Michaela Mabinty DePrince: Career Beginnings, Adoption Story Before Tragic Death 'During many dark times in my early childhood, the only thing that I could call my own or that made me feel safe was a single teddy bear that I received as a gift,' Kadance explained in a message on the organization's website. 'I carried him with me from house to house, couch to couch and clutched him tightly in the scariest times. It is from these memories that Kada's Promise was born.' According to Lisa, Kadance was the 'most kindhearted' person and 'only wanted everybody to be happy.' Her goal was to become a veterinarian. The day before she died, she had been awarded a full-ride scholarship at Mississippi State University, one of nine colleges that had accepted her as a student. "Our pageant community has lost a beautiful soul — one who was a true light in this world,' Kadance's Miss Florida and Teen Florida USA Family said in a statement Tuesday. 'She was ambitious, driven, kind, and a leader among her pageant sisters," they continued. "Our thoughts and prayers are with her family, friends, and all who are mourning this devastating loss. May we honor her memory by carrying forward the light she so effortlessly shared with the world and our Florida pageant community."
