St. Patrick’s Day was lucky for two young women — Megan Price, of LaBelle, who was crowned the new 2018 Miss Florida Citrus and Morgan Boykin, of Thonotosassa, the new Miss Winter Haven. Both ladies were crowned at Theatre Winter Haven on March 17, 2018.

Hosted by David Lang, of Regalia Magnificent Apparel, the Miss America preliminary pageant contestants were judged on the following criteria: interview/on stage question, evening wear, talent and swimsuit. More than $3,000 in cash and prizes went to the top five finalists. Both titleholders will go on to compete in the Miss Florida Pageant, which takes place in Lakeland on June 26-June 30, 2018. The winner will compete in the Miss America pageant.

Megan Price is attending Florida Southern College working on a double major bachelor of science degree in sports communication and marketing and broadcast journalism. She hopes to earn a master’s degree in sports management and marketing and be able to work as a sports broadcaster for a major sports agency. She was sponsored by Seald-Sweet LLC and works part-time for Perfect Game Baseball. Her platform is “Organ Donation – Be A Lifesaver,” promoting the awareness and importance of organ donation and how many lives can be saved through the process. She will receive a $1,000 scholarship along with numerous other prizes and will represent the Florida citrus industry at various trade shows and events throughout the year.

“From a line of citrus growers and growing up in the agriculturally inclined community of LaBelle, I am incredibly excited to have the opportunity represent an industry that is vital to our state’s economy,” said Price. “I plan to spend my year traveling the state helping people understand just how important the citrus industry is to Florida.”

Morgan Boykin attends Hillsborough Community College where she hopes to obtain a bachelor’s degree in agriculture communications. Her platform is “Agriculture Awareness,” and she believes education is important to advocate for others to get involved in the agriculture industry, where farmers comprise only 2 percent of the total U.S. population but are responsible for feeding the entire nation. Sponsored by Wm. G. Roe & Sons, Inc., her goal is to work in marketing and public relations with a major agriculture industry. She owns an online boutique called The Southern B Boutique and lives on a small family farm in Thonotosassa. The recipient of numerous awards for baton twirling and a former University of South Florida Feature Twirler, she will receive a $1,000 scholarship and other gifts, and will represent Winter Haven at various events throughout the year.

The Florida Citrus Queen Pageant began in 1924 and has been part of the Miss America Organization on and off throughout the years, with the name changing to Miss Florida Citrus in 1984. Miss Winter Haven was added to the program this year.

For more information or to schedule an appearance, contact Brenda Eubanks Burnette, executive director, at (561) 351-4314 or [email protected].