Latest news with #MissFloridaUSA
Yahoo
2 days ago
- 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
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
All Eyes on Preslie Ross: A Nationwide Supermodel Calls Florida Home and Prepares to Compete for Miss Florida USA
Orlando, May 19, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- As the anticipation builds for the upcoming Miss Florida USA pageant, all eyes are on Preslie Ross, a 23-year-old supermodel who is poised to make a significant impact on the stage. Originally from the picturesque mountains of North Carolina, Preslie has transformed her insecurities into strengths, embracing her unique stature as she prepares to compete against 72 talented contestants at the Dr. Phillips Center in Orlando on May 24 and up, Preslie faced her fair share of challenges. Standing taller than her peers, she was often bullied for her striking features and imposing height, which left her grappling with insecurities. However, during the COVID-19 pandemic, she embarked on a journey of self-discovery, learning to celebrate her beauty and individuality. Once shy about her height, Preslie now confidently utilizes it as her secret weapon in the fiercely competitive beauty 2021, Preslie's modeling career took off when she attended a talent search featuring over 1,200 aspiring models. Walking the runway in front of leading modeling agencies, she quickly caught the eye of talent scouts, becoming one of only four individuals to secure a contract. Signing with Wilhelmina Models in New York City, she spent over a year walking in top fashion shows and collaborating with elite brands. In late 2022, she made the strategic move to South Florida, signing with CGM and gracing the runways of Miami Swim Week and working with renowned names like Ritz Carlton, Conair, and YSL Preslie is not just a model; she is a rising star with representation across multiple major cities, including New York, Los Angeles, Miami, and Dallas. Her aspirations are limitless, as she sets her sights on achieving international truly sets Preslie apart is her passion for pageantry. "Pageantry gives a platform and a voice that modeling never will," she explains. "In the modeling industry, I'm hired for my beauty and ability to sell a product. But pageantry allows me to use my voice to raise awareness around beauty standards—a mission I call 'Beauty with Purpose.'" Having grown up in a small town where heavy makeup was the norm, Preslie found herself losing touch with her true self. Now, she teaches classes on natural makeup and self-acceptance, encouraging young girls to feel confident in their own skin. "It's about knowing when to glam up but not relying on it every day. I've learned that the best models often go makeup-free, prioritizing healthy skin and self-love," she shares she prepares for the Miss Florida USA competition, Preslie is determined to redefine what pageantry means. "Many people misconceive pageantry as just a beauty contest. It's so much more than that. It fosters a sisterhood, a bond among women that is hard to find elsewhere. Through this journey, I've realized that the process of preparing is far greater than the crown itself."With top coaches, designers, makeup artists, and even fellow pageant owners keeping a close watch on her potential, Preslie has become a formidable contender for the coveted title of Miss Florida USA. Her strategy? To be unapologetically herself and showcase her modeling prowess on the pageant approaches, the buzz surrounding Preslie Ross continues to grow, and the excitement is palpable. With her unwavering determination and inspiring message, she is not only a top prospect to become the next Miss Florida USA but also a strong contender for the Miss USA title, potentially taking the Miss Universe stage by more information on Preslie's journey and to support her at the pageant, visit and for tickets, head over to The world is watching, and the future looks bright for this remarkable young woman. CONTACT: Shazir Mucklai shazir(at) in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
20-02-2025
- Yahoo
Miss Teen USA Queen Kadance Fredericksen Passes Away at 18
The death of Miss Teen USA queen Kadance Fredericksen has left the community and her family in shock. Known for her role as Miss Okaloosa County Teen USA 2024 and her involvement in Miss Florida Teen USA, she had a promising future. As tributes pour in, the details surrounding her passing continue to emerge. Here are more details about the death of USA pageant queen Kadance Fredericksen. USA pageant queen Kadance Fredericksen, an 18-year-old aspiring veterinarian, has tragically passed away following a car accident in Florida. The Miss Okaloosa County Teen USA 2024 winner was involved in a fatal collision on February 17 in Santa Rosa County. According to authorities, her vehicle unexpectedly veered into oncoming traffic, leading to a head-on crash with a tractor-trailer. She was pronounced dead at the scene, while the truck driver sustained minor injuries. The cause of the accident remains unknown. The Miss Florida USA organization expressed its condolences. In a statement, 'Our pageant community has lost a beautiful soul — one who was a true light in this world. She was ambitious, driven, kind, and a leader among her pageant sisters.' Her mother, Lisa Fredericksen, remembered her as 'generous' and the 'most kindhearted' person. (via PEOPLE) Fredericksen, a student at Baker High School, had recently secured a full-ride scholarship at Mississippi State University. Her family shared that she had been accepted into nine universities and had ambitious plans for her future. Beyond her academic and pageant achievements, she was deeply involved in charitable work. In 2017, she founded Kada's Promise, a nonprofit dedicated to providing comfort items to children in foster care and shelters. Her own experiences inspired this initiative in an abusive home. Her family has encouraged donations to Kada's Promise to honor her legacy. Originally reported by Disheet Maheshwari on ComingSoon. The post Miss Teen USA Queen Kadance Fredericksen Passes Away at 18 appeared first on Mandatory.
Yahoo
20-02-2025
- Yahoo
What Happened to Queen Kadance Fredericksen? Miss Teen USA Passes Away
The news of pageant queen Kadance Fredericksen's death has left the community and her family in shock. Known for her role as Miss Okaloosa County Teen USA 2024 and her involvement in Miss Florida Teen USA, she had a promising future ahead. As tributes pour in, the details surrounding her passing continue to emerge. Here are more details about the death of USA pageant queen Kadance Fredericksen. USA pageant queen Kadance Fredericksen, an 18-year-old aspiring veterinarian, has tragically passed away following a car accident in Florida. The Miss Okaloosa County Teen USA 2024 winner was involved in a fatal collision on February 17 in Santa Rosa County. According to authorities, her vehicle unexpectedly veered into oncoming traffic, leading to a head-on crash with a tractor-trailer. She was pronounced dead at the scene, while the truck driver sustained minor injuries. The cause of the accident remains unknown. Fredericksen, a student at Baker High School, had recently secured a full-ride scholarship at Mississippi State University. Her family shared that she had been accepted into nine universities and had ambitious plans for her future. Beyond her academic and pageant achievements, she was deeply involved in charitable work. In 2017, she founded Kada's Promise, a nonprofit dedicated to providing comfort items to children in foster care and shelters. Her own experiences inspired this initiative in an abusive home. The Miss Florida USA organization expressed its condolences. In a statement, 'Our pageant community has lost a beautiful soul — one who was a true light in this world. She was ambitious, driven, kind, and a leader among her pageant sisters.' Her mother, Lisa Fredericksen, remembered her as 'generous' and the 'most kindhearted' person. (via PEOPLE) Her family has encouraged donations to Kada's Promise in honor of her legacy. The post What Happened to Queen Kadance Fredericksen? Miss Teen USA Passes Away appeared first on - Movie Trailers, TV & Streaming News, and More.
Yahoo
19-02-2025
- Yahoo
‘Beacon of light': Florida teen pageant queen who gave teddy bears to neglected kids dies in crash
The Florida pageant community is mourning after one of its teen delegates was killed Monday in a crash. Kadance Fredericksen, 18, hit a semi-tractor-trailer head-on while traveling east on Highway 4 at Hurricane Lake Road in Santa Rosa County according to the Florida Highway Patrol, the Northwest Florida Daily News reports. Authorities said the other driver was a 56-year-old man from Milton who suffered minor injuries. She was the current title holder of Miss Okaloosa County Teen USA. Miss Florida USA paid tribute to Fredericksen on Instagram, saying in part: 'Our pageant community has lost a beautiful soul - one who was a true light in this world. She was ambitious, driven, kind, and a leader among her pageant sisters.' [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Fredericksen was a senior at Baker School in Okaloosa County. The school posted about her charity work with Kada's Promise, the organization she founded, saying in part: 'Kadance was a beacon of light in our community, known for her compassion, tireless advocacy for children in need, and unwavering dedication to making a difference. Through her efforts with Kada's Promise, she brought hope and comfort to thousands of children experiencing trauma, collecting and distributing over 12,000 teddy bears and blankets to children in need. Her work inspired us all, and her legacy will live on in the countless lives she touched.' It is with profound sadness that we mourn the tragic loss of Kadance Fredericksen, an exceptional young woman, senior at... Posted by Baker School on Tuesday, February 18, 2025 [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] On the Kada's Promise website, Fredericksen said her inspiration to begin the organization was borne from her childhood trauma and how a teddy bear she was gifted with would bring her comfort: 'Kada's Promise is probably my greatest accomplishment to date. It is my life's story,' she wrote. 'Yes, it is painful to think back to those dark days in my life, but all of that disappears when I meet a scared and lonely little girl in a shelter and get to hand her a stuffed animal, probably the first she's ever owned. Her eyes fill with sparkle, her smile stretches wider and wider. I am so blessed that my pain was temporary and now I get to use my story to temporarily take someone else's pain away.' Baker School will be holding a vigil on Wednesday night to honor Fredericksen's memory. People who attend have been encouraged to bring teddy bears to be donated to Kada's Promise. Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live.
