Chloie Sebree, a recent Umatilla High School graduate with a 5.0 weighted GPA, is competing in her final year in the teen division as she vies for the Miss Florida’s Teen 2026 crown while preparing to attend the University of Alabama in the fall.

Chloie began her pageant journey at age 5 as Tiny Miss Eustis. She progressed through titles including her current title Miss Ocala’s Teen. She says the experience transformed her from a quiet young girl into a confident advocate.

“It has been one of the most amazing journeys in my life,” Chloie says. “I have grown through this process I did not win every title I competed for, which taught me to be resilient and work harder for the next title.”

Chloie also is an advocate for epilepsy. She created her platform “Disability Does Not Define You,” which is deeply personal to her. An epilepsy survivor for nine years, Chloie has used her platform to educate students and push for policy changes. After speaking at schools, she learned of a young girl who had her first seizure shortly afterward, prompting her to act.

Working with the Epilepsy Association of Central Florida, where she serves as a teen ambassador, Chloie helped advocate for legislation. “We went to our local Rep. and asked her to help me amend the current safe school bill and just this past May HB1201 was singed which will allow for better education and safety training for all teachers and staff on campus not just the ones who have students with noted seizures,” says Chloie “This is what makes my heart full knowing that real change can come from being involved with pageants and that it’s not just about walking on stage in a pretty gown.”

For Chloie, she knows that real change often takes courage and the ability to speak. It’s something that’s motivated her and she wants those around her to know that there’s so much more to these strong young women who compete in pageants.

“Sharing my platform has to be my most favorite part,” Chloie says. “It isn’t just something I do because of pageants, it’s something I lived … This is what makes my heart full knowing that real change can come from being involved with pageants and that it’s not just about walking on stage in a pretty gown.”

This year’s competition holds special meaning for Chloie as her last in the teen category.

“I am looking to make a lasting impact with the new girls that will be competing for the first time,” she says. “Building the sisterhood and making lasting bonds that will last past this June. As well as show all my hard work while bringing awareness to epilepsy.”

Chloie has managed to balance her pageant work with extensive volunteer service. She has participated in Purple Day events at Disney, Chuck Cameron walks for epilepsy awareness, and multiple school presentations on epilepsy.

She has also volunteered at The Love Extension packing food. She has tutored students at Umatilla Elementary School in reading and math for three years and has also supported Eustis city events. She has collected tabs and prepared meals for Ronald McDonald House families, and held leadership roles in high school clubs including SGA, FFA, Key Club, and National Honor Society.

While she’s done so much at such a young age dance has also been a constant in Chloie’s life.

Chloie recently completed 15 years of pre-professional ballet training. She was also instrumental in helping create social media pages for Umatilla high school’s football, basketball and softball teams.

She plans to pursue a dual major in Communications and Broadcasting with dual minors in Journalism and Sports Media at Alabama. Her role models include ESPN’s Laura Rutledge for sports broadcasting and Misty Copeland for perseverance in dance.

A favorite quote from C.S. Lewis has guided her: “You can’t go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending.”

Chloie’s advice to young girls who look up to her is “Never let anyone tell you that you can’t, show them that you can and reach for all the goals that you set for yourself.”

Overcoming epilepsy, including relearning material after seizures and managing learning disabilities with teacher support remains her biggest challenge.

But she never let that get in her way. Chloie proudly graduated as part of the top 20 talented students, summa cum laude, and a Merit Scholar at Umatilla High School.

And for Chloie one thing in particular keeps her going each and every day.

“Every time I help someone my heart is full,” she says of her volunteer efforts. “It gives me a sense of pride knowing that I am giving back.”​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Photos provided.