Wearing a teal strapless gown, Tori Petry stood on stage as she was crowned Miss Marion County USA.
Petry, a 20-year-old UF telecommunication junior, competed alongside six other women March 16 for the chance to go on to the Miss Florida USA pageant.
Not new to the pageant world, Petry was also crowned Miss Marion County Teen USA 2011 and was first runner-up at that year’s Miss Florida Teen USA pageant.
“Really, the best thing about going into a pageant is going to have fun with it and not worrying about whether you are going to win or lose,” she said.
Petry, also a model for Gainesville Fashion Week, said the rehearsals for the fashion show helped her prepare for the pageant.
This is her third year involved in Gainesville Fashion Week, but it’s her first year being a model.
Even with her experience, Petry said, she still felt jitters on stage.
“It has been a while since I’ve competed in pageants, and it was nerve-wracking to be back on stage again,” she said.
“I think that the onstage question part is what makes me the most nervous. You don’t know what to expect.”
Although a lot of what people see is the pageant process, Petry said she is most excited about what comes after earning a title.
“People think it’s all about getting on stage,” she said.
“But my favorite part of having a title is the part where you go out and represent the community. It’s cool to represent the county I grew up in and love.”
Petry’s mother, Ginger Petry, is looking forward to her daughter attending fundraisers and charity events over the next year, too.
“She reaches out to the others around her, and she enjoys the whole experience, not just the competing part,” Ginger Petry said.
Contact Alexa Volland at avolland@alligator.org.
Tori Petry, a 20-year-old UF telecommunication junior, was crowned Miss Marion County USA on March 16. In July, Petry will move on to compete in the Miss Florida USA pageant.
