New Miss Gainesville, Miss Gainesville’s Outstanding Teen, And Miss Florida Gator’s Outstanding Teen Selected

Three women were crowned as part of the Miss Gainesville Scholarship Competition's 15th anniversary.  All three will represent the Gainesville area at this summer's upcoming Miss Florida competition in Lakeland, Florida, an affiliate of the Miss America program.

GAINESVILLE, FLA., Jan, 16, 2023 – On Saturday evening, Alexandra de Roos, age 19, was chosen as the new Miss Gainesville. Held at Lincoln Middle School, the Miss Gainesville Scholarship Competition featured 16 candidates from around our state.

Moments after being selected, de Roos shared her excitement about winning the Miss Gainesville title. “I am already looking forward to my year of service in this wonderful city, traveling, meeting new people, and getting the word out about bridging the gap in funding for the fine arts through my non-profit, Peace Love Leotards, Inc.”

As Miss Gainesville, de Roos receives a $1,000 scholarship and the opportunity to compete for the Miss Florida title later this summer in Lakeland, Florida. Currently a student at Columbia University, de Roos is majoring in psychiatry as part of her pre-med studies and one day hopes to work as a sports psychiatrist. During her year as Miss Gainesville, de Roos will travel throughout the area advocating for her social impact initiative.

As a classical ballerina who has was trained at the School of American Ballet in New York City, the issue of funding the fine arts in our schools is an issue of great personal importance. She will talk to various government representatives, business leaders, community groups and citizens-at-large, urging them to get involved in the fight for funding of the fine arts.

“Alexandra de Roos embodies the qualities a role model for all young women and girls should have,” said Rachel Dickhaus, local executive director of the Miss Gainesville Scholarship Competition. “She is talented, ambitious and accomplished. We are excited about working with her this year, especially after her Top 15 finish at last year’s Miss Florida Competition. I have no doubt that she would not only make a fantastic Miss Florida, but a fantastic Miss America.”

Crowned alongside de Roos was Anna Katherine Risalvato, age 19, who was crowned Miss Gainesville’s Outstanding Teen, and Amelia Grace McDonough, age 17, who was crowned as Miss Florida Gator’s Outstanding Teen.

McDonough returns to Gainesville after previously serving as Miss Florida Gator’s Outstanding Teen from 2020-2021. A competitive dancer, McDonough hopes to one day serve her community as a surgeon. She rejoins Gainesville after a successful Top 5 finish in last year’s Miss Florida’s Outstanding Teen competition in Lakeland, Florida.

Risalvato joins the Gainesville area titleholders for the first time after being selected as first runner up for Miss Florida’s Outstanding Teen over the past two competition cycles. A competitive dancer, Risalvato hopes to work as a Rockette at Radio City Music Hall and to earn a doctorate in Kinesiology.

Established in 2008, the Miss Gainesville Scholarship Organization provides opportunities for young women to achieve their personal and professional ambitions. Candidates participate in community service activities and develop leadership skills that help them excel in their chosen career and life goals. A not-for-profit affiliate of the Miss America Organization, the Miss Gainesville Scholarship Organization has made available more than $30,000 in scholarships and in-kind funds to dozens of young women throughout the State of Florida.

Winners of the annual Miss Gainesville Competition are eligible to compete in the Miss Florida Competition, held every June in Lakeland, Florida. The Miss America Organization, a 501(c)(4) non-profit organization, is the nation’s leading advocate for women’s education and the largest provider of scholarship assistance to young women in the United States, awarding millions of dollars annually.

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