WINTER HAVEN, Fla. — Halle Burton of Gainesville, Fla., was crowned the new 2025 Miss Florida Citrus and Maralee Thompson, of Winter Haven, was crowned the new 2025 Miss Winter Haven on March 8, 2025, at Polk State College’s Fine Arts Theater in Winter Haven, Fla. Juliana Fray, 26, and Samantha Jacobsen, 26, both from Tampa, along with A’Mya Roberts, 20, of Lake Wales, were chosen first, second and third runners-up respectively.
The Miss America preliminary pageant delegates were judged on their Personal Interview, Community Service Initiative/On-Stage Question, Health & Fitness, Talent, and Evening Gown attire, with over $2,000 in scholarships and prizes awarded to the top five finalists. Both titleholders will go on to compete in the Miss Florida Pageant, which takes place in Lakeland June 26-28, 2025, the winner of which will compete in the Miss America pageant this coming September in Orlando, Fla.
The event was hosted by Miss Florida Citrus 2020, Leila Sabet, and included performances by Miss Florida Citrus 2022, Payton Barrington, who sang the National Anthem and “I Didn’t Know My Own Strength,” and outgoing Miss Florida Citrus 2024, Alana Scheuerer, who performed both a solo tap dance to “Dance With Somebody” and a stirring tap dance duet with 2024 Miss Florida’s Teen, Ireland Harkins, to the song “Lean On Me.”
Halle Burton, 21, is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Public Relations at the University of Florida and works as a PR intern for UF’s Office of Strategic Communications, reports for UF News, and interns as a social media content creator for the Florida Gators. She also volunteers for UF’s Athletic Association, working all sports events with the marketing staff. With a lifelong love for football, she aspires to become the first female Vice President of Communications for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
She is a Florida Blue Key Honor Society member, UF Student Senator, and Co-Chair of the Mental Health Ad-Hoc Committee. She serves as Director for Florida’s Future Leadership Program, Member of Keystone Cohort 4, Alpha Chi Omega VP Membership Programming (2024) and VP Philanthropy (2023). Additionally, she is a Dillard’s Ambassador, Gatorette Twirler Captain, Vice Chair for the Student Government Institute, UF President’s List Scholar, Multi-year Presidential Service Award Recipient, Miss Florida 2024 2nd-Runner Up, and Miss Florida 2023 Social Media Scholarship recipient.
Founded over eight years ago, her Community Service Initiative (CSI), Serve Our State (S.O.S.), advocates for volunteerism and its built-in mental health benefits. Her talent was Baton Twirling to “Born to Hand Jive” from the movie, “Grease,” and she has performed in Peru’s International Festival de Primavera, Ireland’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, and the Tournament of Roses Parade.
Maralee Thompson, 19, is pursuing a Public Relations degree with an Agriculture Law minor at the University of Florida, with the goal of becoming a lobbyist for agriculture and technology. She currently works as a Student Assistant and Intake Coordinator at UF’s Center for Autism and Related Disabilities where she processes patient intakes and assist executives in researching innovative ways to advocate for and provide resources for those with autism. She will be interning this summer with a 10th Circuit Judge.
She graduated from Winter Haven High School with a Silver chord for 1000 hours of community service and an AICE Diploma. She was Class President, Miss Winter Haven Teen USA 2020/21, a UF Honors Program member, church group leader, winner of Best On Screen Talent at Polk County Instructional Television Awards, and Best Movie for her short film “Grief.” Maralee is also involved in Best Buddies and the Florida Business Leadership club at UF.
Maralee was also a member of the Cypress Gardens Water Ski Team, appeared in commercials and films like “Walt Before Mickey,” modeled for Marc Jacobs, and managed the Devilette Dance Team’s social media. Her passion is addressing food insecurity and promoting healthier living, believing that empowering individuals to grow their own produce will help combat hunger and foster self-sufficiency and community resilience. Currently partnering with the Field and Fork Pantry at UF, her Community Service Initiative (CSI) is “Grow Together- Promoting Healthier Living.” For her talent, she sang “I See the Light” by Mandy Moore from the movie “Tangled.”
The Florida Citrus Queen Pageant began in 1924 and has been part of the Miss America Organization off and on throughout the years, with the name changing to Miss Florida Citrus in 1984. Over the years, the representatives have traveled throughout the world promoting the Florida citrus industry. This year marks 101st year since the first Florida Citrus Queen was chosen on the shores of Lake Silver in Winter Haven, Fla. Miss Winter Haven was added to the program in 2018.
— provided to Central Florida Ag News