Miss Sumter County’s titleholders earned top finishes and scholarship awards during the 90th Miss Florida and Miss Florida’s Teen competitions held this past week in Lakeland.

Miss Sumter County’s Teen, Sariah King, advanced to the Top 10 after competing in all five phases of competition. After advancing to the finals, she competed in the onstage conversation and health and fitness portions of the competition.

Sariah also received a Miss Florida Legacy Scholarship to further her education at the University of Florida this fall.

Her community service initiative, Built to Bloom, supports children from households affected by substance abuse by providing them with the skills and confidence to overcome their circumstances. Having grown up in a substance abuse household herself, Sariah uses every opportunity to share her testimony with children, encouraging them to understand they are not defined by their parents’ choices.

“She’s very involved in volunteering with the Sumter Youth Center to make a local impact on children in our area and will continue to serve Sumter County with grace, passion and confidence,” Emily Beesley, pageant director of the Miss Sumter County Scholarship Program, says.

Miss Sumter County 2026 Gralynn Munz also represented Sumter County at the Miss Florida competition. After two days of preliminary competition, she secured a place in the Top 16 out of 43 contestants before advancing to the finals in the onstage conversation and health and fitness categories.

“Gralynn represented Sumter County with such beauty and elegance,” Emily says.

Gralynn received a $1,000 Miss Florida Legacy Scholarship to continue her education at the University of Mississippi. She also earned an additional scholarship from the Miss Florida Organization after being recognized for securing the most sponsors among this year’s contestants.

Her community service initiative, Campus Comfort, helps new college students adjust to living away from home by connecting them with resources and a supportive community. The initiative focuses on students’ mental health while helping them find a “home away from home” as they pursue their education.

Throughout the week, Gralynn participated in long rehearsal days, preliminary competitions and the finals while creating lasting friendships and memories with fellow contestants.

Both titleholders will continue serving Sumter County through their year of service while advancing the community initiatives they champion.

Professional photos provided by Jack Portune Photography