Sara Zeng Crowned 2017 Miss Florida

LAKELAND – Displaying not only a mastery of the piano but also stunning the crowd in a her white open backed evening gown, Sara Zeng of Palm Coast was crowned the 2017 Miss Florida Saturday night.

Zeng won the 82nd Annual Miss Florida Pageant in front of more than 2,000 people in the Youkey Theatre at the RP Funding Center in Lakeland.

On stage following the pageant, Zeng, a music education major at Florida State University, got her crown, sash and a bouquet of red roses from the 2016 Miss Florida, Courtney Sexton. Zeng receives a $20,000 scholarship for claiming the title.

The crowning moment followed three days of preliminary competitions also held in the Youkey Theatre, at which contestants were judged in fitness and talent as well as an evening gown competition, on-stage question, and a private interview with the judges.

Hosts David Lang and Laura Rutledge kept the pageant moving with back-and-forth quips. Rutledge, an ESPN reporter and host, was Miss Florida 2012.

Zeng now goes on to the 2018 Miss America Pageant in Atlantic City, N.J., in September.

[livemarket market_name="KONK Life LiveMarket" limit=3 category=“” show_signup=0 show_more=0]