LAKELAND – The city of Gainesville has another champion to celebrate.
After three nights of competition, showcasing talent, interview skills and community initiatives, Paris Richardson was crowned Miss Florida on June 28 night at the 2025 Miss Florida Scholarship Competition at the RP Funding Center.
Richardson was the second Miss Gainesville to win the crown and the first since Marcia Crane earned the title in 1952. She will now represent the Sunshine State at Miss America in September.
A 2020 graduate of Jean Ribault Senior High School in Jacksonville, Richardson, is a recent graduate of the University of Florida with a master’s degree in health administration.
The reigning Miss Gainesville, Richardson, was presented with her crown from 2024 Miss Florida winner Casana Fink and was awarded a $20,000 scholarship for her win. In the 2024 Miss Florida competition, Richardson was third runner-up as Miss Northeast Florida.
In addition to this week’s on-stage success, Richardson earned multiple scholarships during Miss Florida week, highlighted by winning the talent competition on night two with an inspirational acrobatic performance to Big Noise by Bette Midler. The former University of Florida cheerleader was also one of just four candidates to win two scholarships during the 2025 Scholarship Award Gala held at Camp Margaritaville RV Resort and Cabana Cabins in Auburndale on June 27. She was the recipient of the Women in Business ($500) and Miss Florida Marketing Plan ($1,000) scholarships.
Richardson was one of 16 semifinalists announced at the beginning of the finals on June 28. The semifinalists presented their community service initiatives and went through the health and fitness portion of the program. The event concluded with the talent and evening gown competition, followed by an on-stage conversation with the 2003 Miss Florida winner and 2004 Miss America winner, Ericka Dunlop before the winner was announced.
Richardson will use her platform as Miss Florida to expand the reach of her initiative, CROWN of Health, by collaborating with local schools, community organizations and healthcare professionals to promote wellness education and equitable access to healthcare through workshops, school visits, and community events, with hopes to equip individuals with the knowledge and resources necessary to make informed health decisions.
Additionally, she intends to serve as a liaison between communities and healthcare providers, advocating for policies that address health disparities and promote inclusivity.
Who was Miss Florida’s Teen 2025?
Earlier in the evening, Noelle Schnacky, Miss Orlando’s Teen, was named Miss Florida’s Teen 2025 and will compete in the Miss America’s Teen Competition. Noelle receives a $5,000 scholarship and full tuition to one of the following schools of higher education: Stetson, Florida Southern, Florida State University Panama City and Gulf Coast State College.
Noelle, a native of Clermont, is a recent graduate of Lake Mineola High School and is enrolled at Lake Sumter State College, where she will receive her associate degree this summer. While at Lake Mineola, Noelle was a member of the girls’ varsity lacrosse team, as well as the varsity cheer and competition cheer teams. She is also a Fellowship of Christian Athletes student leader and the recipient of the FCA Coaches Choice Awards in 2025.
She will utilize her platform as Miss Florida’s Teen to advance her community service initiative and 501(c)(3) organization, Hope for Heart Kids, which raises awareness of heart defects by building partnerships with all 15 major children’s hospitals in Florida.
Miss Florida runners-up and finalists
Miss Florida’s Teen runners-ups and finalists
What’s next?
The winners of Miss Florida and Miss Florida’s Teen will represent the state at the 2026 Miss America and Miss America’s Teen competition in September at The Walt Disney Theater at the Dr. Phillips Center for Performing Arts in Orlando.
Miss America, founded in 1921, is the longest-running competition of its kind in the world.
This article originally appeared on The Ledger: Who will represent Florida at Miss America and Miss America’s Teen? Here’s who won June 28
Reporting by Lakeland Ledger / The Ledger
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