LAKELAND, Fla. – A Central Florida woman won the Miss Florida title Saturday night during the 82nd annual Miss Florida Pageant.
In front of thousands of people at the RP Funding Center in Lakeland, Sara Zeng, of Palm Coast, was crowned the winner of the 2017 pageant by last year's winner, Courtney Sexton.
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Zeng, who is majoring in music education at Florida State University, accepted her title after three days of preliminary competition. Contestants were judged based on fitness, talent, their evening gowns, their responses to on-stage questions they were asked and private interviews with the judges, according to officials.
Judges said Zeng stunned the crowd with her piano skills and white gown.
In addition to her crown, Zeng received a sash and bouquet of roses and will receive a $20,000 scholarship.
With her win, Zeng is set to compete in the September Miss America Pageant in New Jersey, officials said.