Miss Orlando Explained

The Miss Orlando has been a staple of the Orlando community since 1933, serving as an official preliminary to the Miss Florida and Miss America. In January 2023, Makaila Nichols was named the incoming Executive Director of the Miss Orlando Scholarship Competition. Later that year, Nichols took over the program as the current Executive Director, following the announced retirement of then Executive Director, David Wheeler, heading into the 2023/24 competition season. Wheeler continues to serve as Ex Officio/Advisor and Historian for the organization, providing valuable insights and guidance to the team.

The Miss Orlando 2024 will be held on February 11, 2024, returning to the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts.

At the end of the event, Miss Orlando 2023 Madison Zavitz will crown her successor.

Winners: Miss Category (official Miss America Local annual operating reports)

width=5% Yearwidth=15%Namewidth=10%Hometownwidth=18%Universitywidth=15%Placement at Miss Floridawidth=17%Special scholarships at Miss Floridawidth=23%Notes
2024Amber BoykinThonotosassaWarner UniversityTBATBATBA
2023Madison ZavitzOrlandoBowling Green State UniversityTop 10Madison Zavitz was crowned Miss City Beautiful 2023 and 1st runner-up to the title, Miss Orlando 2023. Zavitz was crowned Miss Orlando 2023 following Juliette Valle's win and crowning as Miss Florida in June 2023.
2023Juliette ValleSouth FloridaUniversity of MiamiCrowned Miss Florida 2023
2022Aanchal ShahJacksonvilleFSU College of MedicineTop 10 FinalistSocial Impact Scholarship Award (1st RU)Natalie Lang Athlete Scholar Memorial Scholarship First Indian American to ever be crowned Miss Orlando. She went on to become the first candidate of Indian American descent to be a top 10 finalist at Miss Florida. All $7,000 will be going to her medical school tuition.
2021Archie SandersTBDTBDTBDTBDTBD
2020TBDTBDTBDTBDTBDTBD
2019TBDTBDTBDTBDTBDTBD
2018Michaela McleanOrlandoTBDTBDTBDTBD
2017TBDTBDTBDTBDTBDTBD
2016TBDTBDTBDTBDTBDTBD
2015TBDTBDTBDTBDTBDTBD
2014TBDTBDTBDTBDTBDTBD
2013TBDTBDTBDTBDTBDTBD
2012Amanda HarrisJacksonvilleUCFTBDTBD$8,000 in scholarships won at Miss Orlando
2012Sara York, Miss Orange CountyDothanUCFTBDTBDMiss Orange County (2nd title at Miss Orlando Pageant; $4,000 in scholarships won at Miss Orlando
2011Ashley Ramsey[1] TampaUSFTop 15n/a$10,500 won at Miss Orlando
2011*Brittany Hagan, Miss Orange CountyTampaUniversity of TampaTop 10Miss America Community Service Award
2010Vicky DiSanto[2] OrlandoUCFSemi-finalist (Top 15)
2009Mandi Jo JohnFort MyersUCFMiss Black & Gold titleholder
2008Lisa Van AlstineRollins CollegeTop 10 at Miss Florida 2008 Preliminary Evening Gown Award
2007Megan ClementiOrlandoUCFMiss Florida top 10Miss Florida USA 2010
2005Ashley HuxTop 10 at Miss Florida 2005
2004Ameigh VerderosaMelbourneRollins College, Boston University Medical SchoolMiss Florida top 10Preliminary Interview Award, Community Service AwardWon $18,500 at Miss Orlando; Miss America national Allman Medical Scholarship recipient
2003Valerie Lynch2nd Runner up at Miss FloridaPreliminary Talent Winner
2002Charlene Closshey*Top 10; Preliminary Talent
2001Ericka DunlapOrlandoUCFTop 10 Miss FL 2003First African-American to win the title of Miss Florida; Miss America 2004
2000Charlene Closshey
1999Kristin CimockMiss Florida Top 10
1998Heidi Koscicki
1997Kristi SheffieldOrlando3rd runner up to Miss Florida
1996Jennifer AlvarezOrlando3rd runner up to Miss Florida
1995Kelli Meierhenry
1994Melissa Holt3rd runner up to Miss FloridaMiss Orlando judge 2010; now Melissa Minyard; appeared in Les Misérables on Broadway
1993Kristi Vannatter
1992Jennifer RagsdaleTop 10
1991Christina ChaunceyTop 10
1990Dana Rhinehart DaltonMichelle King Slater, 1st runner-up WINNER - Miss Florida 1990
Preliminary Swimsuit winner at Miss America
1989Patricia Wresh
1986Mary IlesNon-finalist Talent
1985Susan Jones
1984Lori Block4th runner up; Preliminary Swimsuit
1983Lisa Fernandez
1982Lynn Peghiny
1981Lory MercerTop 10
1980Karen Culliver
1979Laura Trasport1st runner up; Preliminary Swimsuit
1978Kristen Tetsworth
1977Leslie Norris1st runner up Preliminary Swimsuit
1976Patricia Perkins1st runner up; Preliminary Talent
1975Donna Hatcher4th runner up
1974Delta BurkeWINNER Miss Florida 1974Miss America Non-Finalist Talent Award
1973Joy Jones
1972Wanda Miller
1971Wanda Miller
1970Deborah Bacchus
1969Pamela LabTop 10; Preliminary Talent
1968Evelyn Peterman
1967Cherie Bauer
1966Cheryl Johnson2nd runner up; Preliminary Talent and Swimsuit
1965Patricia Magamoll
1964Lydia Laurel
1963Nancy Collins2nd runner up; Preliminary Evening Gown
1962Becky Jenkins1st runner up; Preliminary Talent
1961Connie Quinn4th runner up
1960Judy Bradley
1959Alice Marie PruittOrlando
1958Dianne TauscherWINNER Miss Florida 1958
1957Betty Moch
1956Deanna Lund
1955Sandra Walton
1954Florence Winfree
1953Shirley Buscher
1952Evelyn Patrick
1951Marcia CraneWINNER Miss Florida 1952
1935Sara Carroll
1933Katherine Jones

Notes and References

  1. News: $26,000 in Scholarships Awarded in Orlando, Florida. PRLog. 4 February 2011. 1 August 2020.
  2. News: UCF Student Wins $3000 and Miss Orlando Title. University of Central Florida. Terry Helms . 19 January 2010. 1 August 2020 .