Miss Cypress Gardens crowned

Two lovely ladies were crowned as Miss Winter Haven USA and Miss Cypress Gardens USA on Saturday. The pageant took place at Cypress Gardens’ Royal Palm Theater, where 12 ladies competed for the titles.

Twenty-year-old Megan Morin of Tampa won the title of Miss Winter Haven USA. Megan is currently a junior at USF, studying communication and political science. One of her goals is to continue on to Stetson Law School and practice work place discrimination at a private Tampa firm. Megan was the winner of ‘Miss Athena,’ a fraternity pageant based on volunteering and money raised.

The Miss Cypress Gardens title was awarded to Lynsey Coburn, a recent graduate of the University of Central Florida with a degree in Interpersonal/Organizational Communications. Lynsey is the vice president of Make-up & More and co-owner of Merle Norman Cosmetics & Gift Boutique in Orlando. One of her career goals is to open a second successful business.

The reigning Miss Florida USA, Anastagia Pierre hosted the event along with David Lang, co-owner of Regalia Magnificent Apparel in Orlando. The ladies were judged on the areas of interview, swimsuit and evening gown.
The judges were:
Angela Harwell, the reigning Mrs. Florida USA;
Michael Nutter, a Knowledge Management Architect at Florida Hospital;
Diane Walker-Saunders, owner/operator of Friends Fine Things in Branford, Fla.;
Deric Charles Feacher, assistant to the city manager/director of support services in Winter Haven;
and Dina Orr, Mrs. All American 2008.

(Photo by Tom Mack)