Clermont native named Miss Florida, will compete in Miss America

By LISA MARIA GARZA and RICHARD TRIBOU

ORLANDO SENTINEL | JUL 01, 2019 | 9:34 AM

Michaela McLean, a Clermont native, was named Miss Florida 2019 at the pageant held in Lakeland on June 29, 2019. McLean was running as Miss Florida Citrus and will compete in the Miss America 2020 pageant in September. (Courtesy / Courtesy photo)

The new Miss Florida knows a lot about oranges. Clermont native Michaela McLean running as Miss Florida Citrus took home the crown at the pageant’s finale Saturday night in Lakeland.

“Last night a dream came true that changed my life forever. I am completely in awe and absolutely speechless by the Lord’s faithfulness, provision and impeccable timing. HOLY COW WHAT,” McLean posted to her Facebook account.

McLean won the title of Miss Citrus in March, and has been making the rounds at events like the state’s annual citrus conference and even re-creating an iconic photo in front of the Citrus Tower. Members of her family have been in the citrus industry for four generations including her uncle, Matt McLean, who runs Uncle Matt’s Organic citrus farm in Clermont.

How cool is this?! 1950’s vs. 2019. This afternoon I got to recreate this picture from the 1950’s with one of the first Citrus queens!

McLean, a University of Alabama graduate with bachelor’s degrees in dance and public relations, will compete in the Miss America 2020 pageant this September.

She was among 40 contestants, and took home the title after dancing to the song “You Say” for the talent portion of the five-day competition and discussing her role a spokesperson for an initiative called “Brave and Beautiful.”

She also earned $15,000 in scholarship money.

Runners-up were Miss University of Florida Leah Roddenberry, Miss River City Aaliyah Manning, Miss Orlando Lindsay Bettis and Miss Tampa Lauren Nielsen.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/features/os-fe-miss-florida-michaela-mclean-to-compete-in-miss-usa-20190701-kthq7iqhhzfx3gqmqrhhsgmk4e-story.html