It’s been a memorable year for Lauren Abbey as she has walked across two different stages: her Miss Florida USA/Miss Teen USA competition and her high school graduation ceremony.
In fact, both events occurred back-to-back in a day.
“It was pretty great,” Abbey said. “I graduated the night before, and we had the car packed up and ready to go, and we drove three and a half hours and we got there at 1:30 in the morning and had to be up at 5:30 a.m.”
The Strawberry Crest High School graduate received her diploma on May 26 and headed out to partake in the three-day competition held at the Coral Springs Center for the Arts.
Being named as Miss Dover Teen USA is what propelled her to the state competition.
“This was her first big state competition,” said her mother, Crystal Peeples. “We did our research, and we knew a couple people that we spoke to that have done the big Miss USA and Miss Florida, and they gave us pointers.”
This came after much success last year when she was named as Strawberry Crest’s cover girl as well as calendar girl for December.
On the morning of March 27, with barely four hours of sleep, Abbey got up for registration and met over 100 girls who would be vying for the crown as well.
With such limited time to prepare for the show, some girls took naps while still in makeup and gowns, Abbey said.
During that first day, she also did her interview and costume contest segments.
When she made it to the final 17, Abbey was required to perform in the fitness and evening gown contests. What’s more, she decided to fix her hair and makeup herself, without a personal beautician. Abbey chose not to have a coach either and instead practiced her walking at home, in her gown.
“She’s always been a performer,” Peeples said. “She’s cheered since she was four. Anytime I’ve watched her compete at competitions or anything, it’s emotional because she steals the crowd.”
The community showed outpouring support for the competition through Facebook, Peeples added.
During the interview segment, she was asked what she is bilingual in which is sign language.
She gave a definitive “yes” when asked if her parents were supportive.
“Advocating for better education for special needs kids,” was her answer when asked what she’s passionate about. And when asked what it meant to her to be present at the competition, she said “just being in a room with so many successful girls.”
She is no stranger to pursuing championships, especially as a cheerleader. In high school, her cheer team won three state titles as well as two national titles. Back in middle school, Abbey was a junior coach for the younger cheerleaders.
She participated in flag football, track, and was president of her school’s Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) program, and vice president of the National Honor Society (NHS).
She also understands and has taught sign language for the Exceptional Student Education (ESE) program and has worked with autistic children.
Taking on multiple activities is the norm, Abbey said.
“I multitask by having a planner and just writing everything out so I can see what I need to do on each day,” she said. “I had a job as well while doing all of that. I think what motivates me is just getting involved in all of those different things. It brings me excitement…I don’t know what life is like not being busy.”
She will be attending Florida Atlantic University, where she will study special education. Also, she has sent audition videos to the school to be accepted into its cheer team. And if her school schedule permits it, she plans on entering the same competition as well as the Strawberry Queen pageant.
Among her goals for next year, she would like to be even more active in the community. However, it was during this recent event that she gained something she didn’t have when arriving.
“We didn’t realize how close we were going to get after three days,” Abbey said. “I met a lot of friends – some from Jacksonville, Miami, Pensacola…everywhere.”
While Peeples is anxious about her daughter starting this new chapter in her life, she said that she’s confident Abbey will be successful.