Miss Florida USA 2022 is Taylor Fulford
Miss Okeechobee USA, Taylor Fulford, was crowned Miss Florida USA 2022 in a state pageant held at Coral Springs Center for the Arts on Sunday, May 29.
The 27-year-old life sciences graduate of the University of Florida and a teacher won her state title after trying for several years. She is the director and founder of Fit2BeYou and Crowns for a Cure.
"Today I will compete for the title of [Miss Florida USA] for the last time. This journey I will always cherish for a lifetime and I wouldn’t change one thing regardless of the outcome because it has made me the person I am today," she wrote on social media before winning the competition.
"No matter what challenges you may face that you can still pursue your wildest dreams," she added.
Palm Coast's Sara Zeng and Lake Nona's Shakera Quince were the first and second runners-up, respectively, while West Delray Beach's Victoria DiSorbo, Homosassa's Caroline Dixon, and Central Delray Beach's Amy Rosado completed the Top 6 finalists.
The new Miss Florida USA succeeds last year's winner, Ashley Ann Cariño Barreto. She will now prepare to represent the "sunshine state" at the Miss USA 2022 national competition.
Photos: Houston M Photography / Miss Florida USA, Carlos Velez Studios / Taylor Fulford / Instagram