Morgan Boykin wears a lot of different hats.
The 21-year-old University of South Florida student was named the reigning College Miss Majorette of the Southeastern United States and is a featured baton twirler at all USF football games and other athletic events. An agriculture communications major, she spends her free time working as the program assistant for the Hillsborough County 4-H Extension Office.
Last month, Boykin was awarded one more hat: a crown.
On Saturday, Feb. 27, Boykin was named Miss Tampa 2016 at the 70th Annual Miss Tampa Scholarship Foundation Pageant at Busch Gardens.
This wasn’t the first big pageant win for Boykin. The 2013 Strawberry Crest High School graduate was named the Hillsborough County Fair Harvest Queen in 2011 at her first-ever pageant.
She first competed in the Miss Tampa pageant her first year of college and competed in the Florida Strawberry Festival’s Queen Pageant last year.
“You learn a lot about yourself, and being able to bond with the other girls is fun for me,” Boykin said. “You meet so many amazing people. You want to do your best, but it’s all for fun. And when you’re in good company, it makes it so much more enjoyable.”
Boykin beat out 18 others for the Miss Tampa title.
“Honestly, I couldn’t believe it,” Boykin said. “Miss Tampa is very prestigious. A lot of people want that title.”
The Thonotosassa resident wants to use her crown as a megaphone for agriculture. Prior to college, Boykin participated in 4-H and was an FFA officer for all four years of high school. She frequently showed livestock animals at the Florida State Fair and the Florida Strawberry Festival. She also was a 2013 Strawberry Ambassador for the Florida Strawberry Growers Association.
“No matter what you are, you need agriculture,” Boykin said. “I feel like our nation does not realize how important agriculture is. Now with the Miss Tampa title, I can come into contact with people and educate them about agriculture.”
Boykin has a goal of competing on the Miss Florida stage. To qualify for the state pageant, contestants must first win at the local level. She’ll compete in the Miss Florida pageant in July, in Lakeland.
Contact Emily Topper at etopper@plantcityobserver.com.