The Miss Apopka Scholarship Pageant was initiated by Suzanne Land and Nancy Blalock. They approached Eltha Mark who was the President of the Apopka Woman’s Club at that time. They wanted to turn the club’s local Miss Apopka pageant into a Miss America Pageant preliminary pageant. The club agreed to provide the umbrella that the pageant committee needed until they could obtain their own charter and incorporate. Eltha appointed Stella Swanberg, Diane Lewis and Joan Alsup as Woman’s Club representatives. That was 1977 and at that time the pageant was called the Miss Apopka Foliage Pageant. Later on, it became the Miss Apopka Scholarship Pageant.

We have had three former Miss Apopka’s win the Miss Florida crown. (Unfortunately, not competing as Miss Apopka.) Over the years, close to $100,000 has been awarded in scholarships. Our Miss Apopka’s have become teachers, entertainers, an engineer, businesswomen and more. Joan Alsup is the only original member who is still active on the committee. We are very proud of the fine young women who have represented Apopka as our titleholders. Our president Rosali Morris has given so much of her time and talent by helping each new titleholder prepare for the opportunity to become Miss America.

THE PAGEANT COMMITTEE:

President – Rosali Morris

First Vice President – Marty Harrison

Second Vice President – Millie McBee

Treasurer – Tommy Harrison

Sponsorship – Marty Harrison

Program Book – Marty Harrison

Facilities – Millie McBee

Judges – Pam Smith

Production – Kristi Fixl, Mary Fixl & Jan McRight

Awards – Marty Harrison

Special Events – Jackie Sandler

Flowers – Sharon McLeod

Contestant Chairman – Rosali Morris

Publicity – Joan Alsup

Public Relations – Edward Bass

FORMER MISS APOPKA QUEENS:

2011—Ashley Paine

2010—Kristina Janolo, Miss Florida 2011

2009—Rikki Klaus

2008—no pageant

2007—Justina Freeman

2006—Christine Cooper

2005—Nichole McPherson

2004—Danielle Marino

2003—Genevieve Jahn

2002—Kimberly Kolinski

2000—Amber Seay

1999—Landrea Abshier

1998—Natalie Weld

1997—Kelli Meierhenry, Miss Florida 1999

1996—Heidi Koscicki

1995—Jennifer Charlton

1994—Lisa King

1993—Jennifer Ragsdale

1991—Melinda Miller, Miss Florida 1992

1990—Trish Wresh

1989—Rosalyn Lewis

1988—Amy Wolking

1987—Amy Waits

1986—Vonnie Millikan

1985—Molly Pesce, Miss Florida 1986

1984—Laura Goff, Laura Alsup

1983—Doris Jeanette Willard

1982—Dawn Juergensen

1981—Julie Smith

1980—Valery Carter

1979—Deanna Pitman, Miss Florida 1982

1978—Nancy Carol McClure

1977—Robin Maples