The Miss Florida USA competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state of Florida in the Miss USA pageant.
Up until the 2017 pageant, both Miss and Teen state pageants were held separately in different months. In recent years, the organization was decided that both pageants would compete at the same time from 2018 onwards, just like the most of state pageants in the Miss USA system.
While Florida has had number of runners-up, finalists, and semi-finalists, the state has yet to win the Miss USA title. Although Cheryl Patton, who placed 2nd runner-up in Miss USA 1967, became Miss USA after Sylvia Hitchcock won Miss Universe. The most recent placement was Caroline Dixon who placed Top 20 in 2023.
Three former Miss Florida Teen USA titleholders have won this competition, and five titleholders have also competed at Miss America.
In 2019, contestant Madison Anderson (who finished first runner-up in that pageant) would go on to become Miss Universe Puerto Rico 2019, and then competed in Miss Universe 2019, placed first runner-up to Zozibini Tunzi of South Africa. On August 11, 2022, contestant Ashley Cariño (who finished second runner-up at Miss USA 2021) was crowned Miss Universe Puerto Rico 2022 and represented Puerto Rico at Miss Universe 2022, ultimately placing in the Top 5
The current titleholder is Aileen Cerchiara of Tampa and was crowned on July 12, 2026, at the Linda W. Chapin Theater in Orlando. She will represent Florida at Miss USA 2026.
Gallery of titleholders
Results summary Placements 1st runners-up: Marcia Valibus (1958), Clotilde "Cloe" Cabrera (1987), Aileen Cerchiara (2026) 2nd runners-up: Nanita Greene (1959), Cheryl Patton (1967), Barbara Bowser (1980), Ashley Cariño (2021) 3rd runners-up: Connie Ensor (1972), Mary-Margaret Humes (1975), Monica Farrell (1988) 4th runners-up: Nancy Wakefield (1960), Randy Beard (1966), Melissa Witek (2005), Cristin Duren (2006), Brittany Oldehoff (2014) Top 5/6: Shannon Dupuy (1995), Angelia Savage (1997), Génesis Dávila (2018) Top 10/12: Susan Deaton (1971), Stacy Evans (1973), Cynthia Zach (1974), April Shaw (1978), Kristen Berset (2004), Jessica Rafalowski (2008), Nicolette Jennings (2019), Lou Schieffelin (2025) Top 15/16/20: Kay Duggar (1953), Mariles Gessler (1955), Maria Junquera (1969), Cheryl Johnson (1970), Lissette Garcia (2011), Caroline Dixon (2023)
Florida holds a record of 32 placements at Miss USA.
Awards Miss Photogenic: Shannon Ford (2002), Cristin Duren (2006) Miss Congeniality: Linda LeFevre (1977) Best State Costume: Nancy England (1963)
Winners
Color key
Year Name HometownAge Local title Placement at Miss USA Special awards at Miss USA Notes 2026 Aileen Cerchiara Tampa 26 Miss Gulf Coast 1st runner-up 2025 Lou Schieffelin Winter Park 25 Miss Palm Beach Island Top 10 Previously Miss Florida Teen USA 2018 Top 10 at Miss Teen USA 2018 2024 Peyton Lewis Orlando 26 Miss Lake Nona 2023 Caroline Dixon Palm Harbor 25 Miss Palm Harbor Top 20 2022 Taylor Fulford Okeechobee 27 Miss Okeechobee 2021 Ashley Ann Cariño Barreto Kissimmee 26 Miss South Kissimmee 2nd runner-upMiss Universe Puerto Rico 2022, Top 5 at Miss Universe 2022 Previously Miss Florida World 2018 as Ashley Barreto Born in Puerto Rico Shortest reigning titleholder () 2020 Monique Elyse Evans Naples 28 Miss South NaplesPreviously Miss Texas 2014 Top 16 semifinalist at Miss America 2015, University of Texas graduate Longest reigning Miss Florida USA () 2019 Nicolette Taylor Jennings Clearwater 22 Miss Clearwater Beach Top 10 2018 Génesis María Dávila Pérez Miami 27 Miss Miami Top 5Previously Miss Florida USA 2017; see below Previously Miss World Puerto Rico 2014 Born in Puerto Rico2017 Linette De Los Santos Sunny Isles Beach 24 Miss Sunny Isles Beach Originally first runner-up; succeeded the title after Génesis Dávila was dethroned Born in Dominican Republic Génesis María Dávila Pérez Miami 25 Miss Miami Beach colspan="2" Davila was dethroned on July 22, 2016, after it was revealed that she allegedly hired outside hair and makeup professionals during the Miss Florida USA state pageant instead of the ones provided by the organization, which is explicitly against pageant rules. The pageant stated it gave Dávila an unfair advantage. She was later found to be innocent of the accusation. 2016 Briegitte Marie "Brie" Gabrielle Baldrica Palm Beach 25 Miss Palm Beach 2015 Ashleigh Lollie Grand Ridge 25 Miss Emerald Coast 2014 Brittany Oldehoff Fort Lauderdale 24 Miss Fort Lauderdale 4th Runner-UpModel in season 7 of Project Runway Contestant on season 28 of The Amazing Race 2013 Michelle Aguirre Hialeah 20 Miss Broward County Fair 2012 Karina Alexandra Brez Wellington 23 Miss South Florida Born in Ukraine 2011 Lissette Garcia Miami 25 Miss Miami Tropic Top 16 Semi-finalist Previously Miss Reina Hispanoamerica Cuba 2007 Top 8 finalist in Reina Hispanoamericana 2007 2010 Megan Clementi Orlando 25 Miss South Miami Top 10 at National Sweetheart 2006 2009 Anastagia Pierre Plantation 20 Miss Plantation Previously Miss Florida Teen USA 2004 Later Miss Bahamas Universe 2011 2008 Jessica Rafalowski DeLand 21 Miss Volusia County Top 10 Finalist, Finishing in 8th Place Miss Polonia World 2010 2007 Jenna Edwards North Miami 25 Miss North Miami Previously Miss Florida 2004 Miss Oktoberfest 2000 as Miss Mississippi Miss Teen All American 1999 as Miss Mississippi 2006 Cristin Leigh Duren Panama City 24 Miss Emerald Coast 4th runner-up Previously Miss Florida Teen USA 1997 First woman to win Miss Photogenic at Miss Teen USA and Miss USA 2005 Melissa Ann Witek Cocoa Beach 24 Miss Florida Panhandle 4th runner-up Contestant on NBC's Treasure Hunters 2004 Kristen Michele Berset St. Petersburg 22 Miss Central Florida Top 10 Finalist, Finishing in 6th Place 2003 Carrie Ann Mewha Fort Lauderdale 24 Miss Broward 2002 Shannon Ford Miami 25 Miss Miami Miss Photogenic Miami Dolphins NFL Cheerleader and a contestant on the third season of The Bachelor 2001 Julie Anne Donaldson Ponte Vedra Beach 23 Miss Ponte Vedra Beach Hired as the NFL's first female team broadcaster in 2020 for the Washington Football Team 2000 Kristin Alicia Beall Ludecke Eustis 23 Miss Eustis Style Award Previously Miss Florida 1995; daughter of Miss Florida USA 1970 Cheryl Johnson 1999 Melissa Andrea Quesada Tampa Miss Teen All American 1995 Miss United States Teen 1997 1998 Jamie Converse Gainesville Later Mrs. Florida America 2007 under her married name, Jamie Converse-Estrada. 1997 Angelia Savage Jacksonville 25 Top 6 Finalist, Finishing in 4th Place 1996 Idalmis Marina Vidal Miami 21 1995 Shannon Noelle Depuy Tallahassee 24 Top 6 Finalist, Finishing in 4th Place Previously Miss Virginia 1990 and semifinalist in Miss America 1991 1994 Cynthia Redding Deltona 1993 Shakeela Gajadha Coral Gables 1992 Sharon Flynn Belden Coral Gables Later Miss Florida World 1992 Miss World America 1992 and Top 10 semi-finalist at Miss World 1992 1991 Rosa Velilla Miami 1990 Tricia Hahn Panama City 1989 Jennifer Louise Parker Tallahassee 17 1988 Monica Bruni Farrell Jacksonville 3rd runner-up Previously Miss Florida 1985 1987 Clotilde "Cloe" Helen Cabrera Tampa 22 1st runner-up First African American to win Miss Florida USA Competed at Miss World 1987 1986 Kathy Rosenwinkel Orlando 1985 Barbi Losh North Miami Beach 21 1984 Stacy Hassfurder Tallahassee 20 1983 Janet Chesser Daytona Beach 1982 Lisa Smith Margate Previously Miss Florida World 1980 Top 10 finalist in Miss World America 1980. 1981 Valerie Ann Lundeen Miami Valerie Lundeen Ely, 62, married to "Tarzan" actor Ron Ely, was murdered by their son Cameron Ely at their Southern California home on October 15, 2019. 1980 Barbara Ann Bowser Miami Springs 20 2nd runner-up 1979 Penny Sheridan Merritt Island 1978 April Shaw Lakeland Semi-finalist 1977 Linda LeFevre Gainesville 1976 Leigh Walsh Coral Gables 1975 Mary-Margaret Humes Holly Hill 20 3rd runner-up actress best known for playing Gail Leery on the television drama Dawson's Creek. 1974 Cynthia Zach Miami Semi-finalist 1973 Stacy Evans Daytona Beach Semi-finalist 1972 Coni Ensor Miami 3rd runner-up 1971 Susan Aileen Deaton Jacksonville Miss Jacksonville Semi-finalist 1970 Cheryl Elizabeth Johnson Eustis Semi-finalist Mother of Miss Florida USA 2000 Kristin Ludecke, Previously crowned Miss Dixie 1967. 1969 Maria Junquera Plant City Semi-finalist 1968 Leslie Bauer New Port Richey 1967 Cheryl Ann Patton North Miami Beach 2nd runner-up Became Miss USA 1967 after Sylvia Hitchcock became Miss Universe 1967 and 1st runner up declined to succeed the title. 1966 Randy Beard Kissimmee 4th runner-up 1965 Karol Kelly Zephyrhills semifinalist in Miss American Beauty 1967, title of usa rep to Miss International pageant 1964 Candace Davenport 1963 Linda Egland South Miami 18 Best State Costume 1962 Sharon Conrad 1961 Peggy Defreitas 1960 Nancy Wakefield 4th runner-up 1959 Nanita Greene 2nd runner-up 1958 Marcia Valibus 1st runner-up Competed in the 1958 Miss Dixie Pageant 1957 Deanie Cates 1956 Kim Meyer 1955 Mariles Gessler Semi-finalist 1954 Rosemary Talucci 1953 Kay Duggar Semi-finalist Competed as "Miss Miami Beach" instead of Miss Florida USA. 1952 Yvonne Peairs
Notes
References
External links Official website