Miss Manatee Scholarship Organization

10/27/2026

We are SO proud of our Miss Manatee’s Teen Bailey Sheridan starring in this production! Show runs through the weekend, get your tickets today! 🎟️🎉

Bradenton theater delivers a powerful and emotional production of the Tony Award-winning musical. See link below ⬇️

📸 Photo by Diane Broda provided by Manatee Players

10/16/2026

🏆 Congratulations to MMSO Board Member Susan Kopstad on being named the 2026 Supplier of the Year by the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association (FRLA) !

As part of the 2026 FRLA Hall of Fame Awards, Susan was recognized for her outstanding contributions to Florida’s hospitality industry through . ☕

We are so proud to have Susan as part of our MMSO family and celebrate this well-deserved recognition of her leadership, dedication and impact on our community! 💙👏

10/08/2026

✨ Celebrating one of our own! ✨

Congratulations to our Board Vice Chair & Director, Sam Solie, on being nominated by the as a 2026 Empowering Woman of the Year! 💙

Joining Sam for this special recognition were her friend and colleague Amy Lynch, our Board Chair & Executive Director Wendy Mungillo, and Alexandra de Roos, our forever Miss Manatee and current Miss Florida 2026! 👑

We are proud to celebrate Sam's leadership, dedication and continued commitment to making a difference in our community!

10/04/2026

✨ SAVE THE DATE ✨

2027 MISS MANATEE SCHOLARSHIP COMPETITION

Your moment starts here. 💫

Are you ready to compete, grow, lead, and make an impact?

Join us for the 2027 Miss Manatee & Miss Manatee’s Teen Scholarship Competition and take your next step toward becoming a part of the Miss America Opportunity.

📅 February 20, 2027

Step into the spotlight.
Discover your purpose.
Make your mark.

Whether you're dreaming of the crown, the scholarship, the experience, or simply becoming the best version of yourself — your journey starts here.

More details coming soon!

Questions?
📧 [email protected]
🌐 manateecountypageants.com

09/22/2026

✨ Meet the 2026–2027 Miss Manatee Scholarship Organization Board of Directors! ✨

Behind every scholarship awarded, competition produced and opportunity created is a dedicated team of volunteers committed to empowering the young women who represent Manatee County. 👑

We’re proud to introduce our 2026–2027 Board of Directors and grateful for the time, talents and heart they bring to MMSO throughout the year.

From competition week to community appearances and everything in between, it truly takes a team to make the magic happen — and we’re excited for another great year ahead!

Learn more about our organization and meet the team: https://www.manateecountypageants.com/about

09/18/2026

🎉 From Miss Manatee County to Counselor at Law! ⚖️👑

Congratulations to our Forever Miss Manatee County 2025, Lauren Woodward, on officially passing the Florida Bar Exam!

We are so proud to celebrate her accomplishment and the hard work and dedication it took to reach this milestone. Lauren continues to make incredible contributions to her community at the Seminole County State Attorney’s Office and we can’t wait to see all that’s ahead for her! 💙

Congratulations, Lauren! ⚖️✨

09/10/2026

We’re proud to celebrate MMSO Board Member and forever Miss Manatee’s Outstanding Teen 2017, Julianna Nickel, who was recently featured by WCJB TV20 News for returning to her alma mater, the University of Florida, to share her expertise with the next generation of construction professionals.

Now a Senior Project Engineer with JE Dunn, Julianna returned to UF’s Rinker School of Construction Management for her 15th guest lecture, speaking about construction safety and her experience as a female leader in a traditionally male-dominated field. 👷🏻‍♀️

We’re so proud to have Julianna continuing to give back as a member of the MMSO family!

Read the full WCJB story: https://www.wcjb.com/2026/09/09/former-miss-gainesville-returns-uf-give-construction-safety-lecture