Former St. Cloud resident Makayla Baker was named Miss Rodeo Florida 2022 at its annual pageant earlier this month. She will officially assume the crown at a ceremony in January.
Baker was second runner-up in the 2020 pageant.
Contestants are judged on appearance, personality, modeling, speech, a personal interview and impromptu questions.
Among the other pageant winners:
Miss Rodeo 1st Runner-Up: Brianna Edwards
Miss Teen Rodeo Florida: Heaven Crosby
Miss Rodeo Florida Princess: Ava Boisclair; 1st Runner-Up: Macie Shenefield
Miss Rodeo Florida Sweetheart: Calli Tenanl 1st Runner-Up: Corrine Clover
After announcing the results, the Miss Rodeo Florida Association released a statement that, when the pageant results were audited by an independent accounting firm, the results were shown to be in error in two of the four contests and the winners had to be changed.
In the statement, Miss Rodeo Florida Association national director Laura Lynn Kessler said the incident has not changed “the organization’s dedication to the growth of young women who are passionate about the western way of life, but also having the utmost integrity.”
“I can honestly says, as a longtime committee member of volunteers that we each take on these contestants as our own and love them unconditionally during the pageant and for years to come no matter the results. Each and every contestant did a phenomenal job, had such fun personalities and were a joy to work with.
“For the trust and integrity of this year’s competitors and any in the future, the error had to be rectified,” she continued. “We sincerely apologize for this regrettable situation and the distress it has caused.”
