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Miss Florida USA Runner-Up Plans To Try Again

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By GEORGE H. NEWMAN

The Tampa Tribune

Published: July 23, 2008

PLANT CITY - An 18-year-old Plant City High School graduate was first runner-up in the recent Miss Florida USA pageant in Hollywood.

Alexandra "Allie" Watkins, daughter of Heather and Michael Watkins, celebrated her near miss with a weeklong visit to New York City with her grandmother Frankie Wilson.

Asked how she likes it in Manhattan during a phone interview last week, Watkins came straight to the point.

"I love it. It makes me want to win Miss Florida USA and the Miss USA pageant next year, so I can live here for a year," Watkins said.

Her father said that would make sense.

"Allie is going to Florida State University in the fall and wants to become a clothes designer. New York would be the place to be," Michael Watkins said.
Anastagia Pierre, a 19-year-old student at Nova Southeastern University in Davie, was the June 12 pageant winner. The finals were broadcast throughout the state and overseas and were seen by more than 7 million viewers, according to estimates.

Pierre will compete in the Miss USA pageant in April. The winner goes on to compete in the Miss Universe pageant later in the year.

Heather Watkins traveled to South Florida for the pageant July 9 with her 15-year-old daughter, Victoria, and Allie. Michael Watkins joined her July 11 with Wilson; his son Michael, 13; and niece, Joie Cleckler, 17.

"We were all sitting together, cheering Allie on," Michael Watkins said. "I'm glad I wasn't a judge. There were a lot of beautiful and talented girls to choose from. But I knew Allie would make the top five."

Allie Watkins, who was Miss Lakeland, said there were 48 contestants competing for the Miss Florida USA title. Each one was judged in swimsuit and evening gown competition and was asked a question while on the stage.

"They asked me what I would ask the president if I had just one question," Watkins said. "I told them I would ask President Bush, with the war and the economy, how he was able to handle all the pressure around him. I know I will face pressures in my life. I would really like to know the answer."

The judges obviously liked her answer, and her look in swimsuit and evening gown. She was picked for the top 15 and went through another round of modeling for the judges.

Watkins said she was "in shock" when she was chosen for the top five.

"Sometimes you get so excited you forget to smile. I thought I had done well, but to be in the top five was just awesome."

A pageant official began to name the runners-up, and soon it was down to Watkins and Pierre. Finally Pierre was declared the winner.

If for any reason the titleholder can not continue her reign, Watkins will wear the crown.

Crown or no crown, Watkins came away with prizes.

"As first runner-up, I was given three bathing suits, a pearl necklace, a watch and a basket of beauty products," she said.

Watkins was first maid in the Florida Strawberry Festival queen's court in 2007. Her sister Ashley was festival queen in 2005.

Their father is used to the pageant routine.

"Now we can breathe a sigh of relief and relax a little bit before Allie goes on to Florida State," Michael Watkins said. "All of Allie's hard work paid off. She worked on Miss Florida USA for two months. She did a great job and deserves some time off."

This fall will find Allie Watkins buckling down on her studies. But next year she will again be gearing up for another run for Miss Florida USA.

Reporter George H. Newman can be reached at (813) 865-4451 or gnewman@tampatrib.com.

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