Bailee Perdue has been performing since she was young and has been competing in pageants for three years. 

The St. Augustine native won her first pageant the same year she started competing, earning the title of Miss Bartram Trail 2022.  

Two years later, Perdue was crowned Miss North Florida 2024.  

But ever since she started competing in pageants, there was one title that Perdue, a 21-year-old University of Florida broadcast journalism senior minoring in public relations, wanted more than any other. That was Miss University of Florida. 

“When I learned about the Miss University of Florida title, it was five years before I went to UF,” Perdue said, adding that her parents are both alumni of UF. “It was my dream title. I spent months kind of locked away, honing in and non-stop practicing for this.” 

All that practice paid off for Perdue, as she was crowned Miss UF 2025 in March.  

“It was one of the greatest moments of my entire life and it was one of the best honors that you can obviously receive at UF,” Perdue said, “I’m so honored to have that title.” 

The Miss University of Florida Scholarship Pageant, which began in 1956, is run by Florida Blue Key and “is a local preliminary pageant for the Miss Florida Scholarship Pageant and Miss America Pageant,” according to the Florida Blue Key website. 

There are multiple phases of competition for the Miss UF pageant, including a private interview, talent and fitness portion, evening wear and on-stage question, according to the website.  

In addition to winning the overall Miss UF title, Perdue also won talent, interview and Miss Congeniality awards at the competition. 

“During that process of me really hunkering down, I learned that when you focus on something that you really, really, really want, nothing will stop you from holding back,” Perdue said. “And you have to be the change that you wish to see in the world. And I honed in on my platform and things that I’m passionate about to be the change.” 

Two things Perdue feels strongly about are nonprofit work and community service. 

In 2022, she founded Flourish Through Arts, a nonprofit organization committed to expanding arts and education and empowering youth through creative expression. 

“When I was young, I was heavily involved in theater and choir and all things performance and arts,” Perdue said. “And I unfortunately experienced extensive budget cuts in my community for the arts at my school. And because of that, I was inspired to create Flourish Through Arts to ensure that students have access to those fundamentals.” 

Perdue also established the Flourish Scholarship under the University of Florida’s College of the Arts, which is intended to provide more art education opportunities to students. 

“That scholarship is going to a student who doesn’t necessarily have the funds to go to school but wants to pursue the arts,” she said.  

 In addition to her nonprofit work, Perdue also has a passion for giving back to others. 

She said she volunteers often in Gainesville, including at places such as the Ronald McDonald House. Perdue added that she also serves “extensively” in Jacksonville and back home in St. Johns County. 

“I just love serving period,” she said. “I will sign up or do anything just because I know that it’s helping other people. But I think the number one thing I love doing is dressing up as a princess…and going to talk to children who may be terminally ill – seeing them and giving them hope and changing their life in a little way that is possible.” 

Perdue has received a few accolades for the volunteer work she has done in communities, including earning the Florida State College at Jacksonville (FSCJ) Service-Learning Medallion for completing 100 or more service-learning hours.  

Perdue was also the recipient of a Global Citizen Award for her humanitarian work, where she took part in rebuilding efforts and community arts programs. 

“I do anything that comes up because I just want to make an impact any way I can,” Perdue said.  

As for what her future looks like, Perdue currently has her sights set on winning the Miss Florida crown. 

Jacksonville native and Miss Gainesville 2025, Paris Richardson, is the current Miss Florida title holder after earning the crown in June. 

Perdue has been a finalist in the Miss Florida competition for the last two years, including placing in the top 10 in 2024 and top 15 in 2025.  

At age 19, Perdue became the youngest contestant to place inside the top 10 of the Miss Florida competition in 2024.  

“I will continue and stop at nothing…to be Miss Florida,” Perdue said. “It’s my dream. And I will perform at Miss America one day.” 

A date for the 2026 Miss Florida pageant has yet to be announced.  

Nick Anschultz is a Report for America corps member and writes about education for Mainstreet Daily News. This position is supported by local donations through the Community Catalyst for Local Journalism Fund at the Community Foundation of North Central Florida.