Alexa Schmidt, Miss Â鶹ӳ»´«Ã½, on Saturday narrowly missed becoming the fourth Â鶹ӳ»´«Ã½ consecutive student to be named Miss Florida.
Schmidt, a Jacksonville senior majoring in psychology, was the first runner-up to the new Miss Florida, Laura McKeeman, a St. Petersburg TV sportscaster.
Schmidt won $7,100 for being named runner-up and posting high scores in the preliminary talent, preliminary interview and newcomer-of-the-year categories.
Two other Â鶹ӳ»´«Ã½ students made it to the top 11 finalists chosen from the 43 contestants: Jerusha Cavazos of Celebration, a junior majoring in musical theatre who holds the title of Miss South Florida, and Meagan Cartaya of Homestead, a sophomore majoring in advertising and public relations who holds the title of Miss Homestead. Each earned $750.
If Schmidt had won the title, she would have followed in the footsteps of three other Â鶹ӳ»´«Ã½ students named Miss Florida: Kristina Janolo in 2011, Jacqueline Raulerson in 2010 and Rachael Todd in 2009.
Nine of the 43 contestants at the pageant in St. Petersburg were Â鶹ӳ»´«Ã½ students.
The new Miss Florida will advance to compete for the title of Miss America early next year.