www.MissFloridaGivesBack.org
Rachael Todd is Miss Florida 2009. She graduated from the University of Central Florida (UCF) in Orlando with a Bachelor of Arts in Interpersonal Communication in May of 2009. Her future educational goal is to obtain a Masters of Business Administration. While a student at UCF Rachael was on the Dean’s List; member of Delta Epsilon Iota Honor Society; member of Rho Lambda Academic Honor Society; Silver Pegasus Scholar and a Florida Bright Futures Scholar. She currently serves as an ex-oficio Board Member for the Florida Peer Network and was the youngest nominee for the 11th Annual Outstanding Service to the Homeless for the state of Florida. As Miss Florida, Rachael is committed to changing the way Americans view and deal with the issue of Homelessness. In August 2009, she served as a delegate to the National Conference on Ending Homelessness in Washington D.C. She has associated with the National Coalition for the Homeless and the National Alliance to End Homelessness and is committed to increasing awareness about their missions and solutions in this challenging, yet possible, endeavor. Rachael found her passion through working with The HOPE Foundation, a non profit agency founded by her mother that provides Housing, Outreach, Prevention and Education for families on the brink of homelessness and facing homelessness for the first time.
In September of 2009 Rachael formed an alliance with The Everglades Foundation. As a means to further promote the Miss Florida Organization, the Miss America Organization and the restoration efforts of the foundation as well as the green movement. Rachael approached the Everglades Foundation with a proposal to form a partnership, whereas Miss Florida could use her influence in a positive way to increase awareness statewide and nationwide about the importance of the Everglades ecosystem and restoration of this unique environment. Through the partnership formed Miss Florida is now a representative of the Everglades Foundation, constantly increasing awareness about the importance of the restoration and preservation of the world’s most unique ecosystem. In May of 2010 Rachael will serve as a delegate at The 1st Annual America’s Everglades Summit in Washington, D.C.
In March of 2010 Rachael will officially launch her program entitled Miss Florida’s Millennials. Rachael is inspired by her generation, The Millennials, who have been looked upon as The Next Great Generation. She believes that service learning is an innate part of who we are. As Miss Florida she has encouraged the students of Florida to capitalize on these incredible expectations. As a challenge to the students she asks: How are you going to make a difference? What is the one thing you have done to help others or your community? She has produced an online public service announcement to address the students and officially presented this program to the students of Florida on March 22nd at the Florida Learn and Serve – Raise your Voice for Service Learning Conference in Tallahassee, Florida. The Miss Florida Organization and Miss Florida will review the student’s applications, taking into account accomplishments and ideas, and will then visit several schools to recognize Millennials who are making the biggest positive impacts.
Rachael has always been and always will be an innovative thinker and leader. Serving in various capacities and working as Miss Florida has presented Rachael with so many unique and incredible experiences that have prepared her for anything she takes on. In addition to her year as Miss Florida, Rachael served as Vice President of Kappa Delta Sorority at UCF and representative to the Kappa Delta National Leadership Conference; she was a member of the UCF Hunger & Homelessness Awareness Committee and Volunteer coordinator for Christmas in the City. It will be these experiences and challenges she has conquered that will continue to prepare Rachael for a life of service and success.
Rachael performed an Irish Step Dance for her talent at the Miss Florida Pageant. She was in the Top 10 at the Irish Dancing National Competition in Dallas, Texas. She is committed to a daily fitness regime and a healthy lifestyle which helped as she completed her first 13.1 mile half marathon in December 2008. Rachael was a Preliminary Swimsuit Winner during the 2009 Miss Florida Pageant. She represented the Sunshine State of Florida at the Miss America Pageant in Las Vegas, Nevada on January 30th, 2010.
To book Miss Florida for an appearance, please email Mary Sullivan, Executive Director, Miss Florida Scholarship Pageant, Inc, at Mary@missflorida.org.