Miss Apopka Send-off Party

Send-off reception for Miss Apopka was held in the City Hall Atrium

A group of about 50 well-wishers attended yesterday's send-off reception in the Apopka City Hall Atrium. Arianna Beyer, Miss Apopka 2016, provided a preview of her Miss Florida competition wardrobe, including her interview outfit; her gowns for the talent and evening gown competition and the swimsuit she will wear during the physical fitness portion of the pageant. She also performed with the clarinet.

Beyer is a Junior at the Eastman School of Music at the University of Rochester, Rochester, NY. She is working towards her Bachelor of Music in Clarinet performance/Arts Leadership Certificate Candidate.

Rosali Morris, pageant executive director for 26 years, explains that each Miss America Pageant contestant must have a community service platform to enter the pageant system. Arianna's platform is S.M.I.L.E.S. (Sharing Music and Improving Lives with Every Song, Inc.), an ongoing community service initiative by partnering with student organizations to share their music performances with residents and patients in their communities.

"Arianna's mother was the 1983 Miss Michigan and the pageant committee hopes that Arianna will be able to lay claim the 2016 Miss Florida crown as a tribute to her mother," Morris said.

The 2016 Miss Florida Pageant will be held at the Lakeland Center auditorium on June 28 through July 2nd.

Use this link to learn more and purchase tickets for the event.

Since 1935, the Miss Florida Pageant has been associated with the Miss America Pageant. The winner of the Miss Florida Pageant represents the state in the Miss America pageant, which this year takes place Sept. 11 in Atlantic City, N.J. Last year, Miss Florida, Mary Katherine Fechtel, placed in the top 10 at the Miss America Pageant and earned a $7,000 scholarship.