Nicholson Graduate Teaching Assistant Wins Miss UCF 2019

By Rachel Smith

Graduate communication major Keyera Lyn came out on top and was voted the winner of the Miss UCF 2019 Scholarship Pageant Saturday night in the Student Union’s Pegasus Grand Ballroom.

Lyn, a graduate teaching assistant for the Nicholson School of Communication and Media, beat out 13 other contestants to win the title at Campus Activities Board’s 35th Miss UCF pageant.

“I feel overwhelmed with excitement,” Lyn said. “This was a lot of hard work, but it was so worth it. If I could do it all over again, I would. I am so happy to be a part of this and I can’t wait to see what I do with my platform.”

Lyn’s platform, GEM — Growing, Empowering, and Motivating — focused heavily on assisting high school students with applying for college, obtaining scholarships and pursuing higher education. Lyn said she is eager to promote GEM further and hopes to positively impact students in the Orlando area.

Miss UCF 2019 will receive a $2,000 scholarship and custom-made class ring along with her new reigning title.

Lyn said she plans to put her scholarship winnings toward her education so she can finish her master’s degree here at UCF.

This year’s Miss UCF pageant’s board of judges comprised of five members, including current SGA President Josh Boloña. Each Miss UCF contestant was judged based on their on-stage question and answer segment, private interview with the judges, lifestyle and fitness display, talent performance and an evening wear competition.

Each runner-up for the event received scholarship money from the over $10,000 raised by the Office of Student Involvement, Student Government Association and UCF Alumni Association.

First runner-up was awarded to Lindsey Craig, senior public administration major, who took home $900. Second runner-up, junior human communication major Dazirae Simmons, was awarded $800.

Courtney Jones, recent UCF graduate and winner of Miss UCF 2018, crowned Lyn and said she was extremely proud of all the girls who competed during the night.

“Seeing how each individual contestant grew throughout this process is what made it worth it,” Jones said. “It was a little weird handing over the title, but I will forever be Miss UCF 2018 and it was time to pass on the crown to the next deserving woman.”

Lyn posed for photographs onstage at the end of the night with Mr. UCF 2019 Malachi Mullings who was crowned Friday.

Campus Activities Board Pageant Co-Directors Sha’ury Dorelien and Caitlyn Klauder said they were relieved the both the Mr. UCF and Miss UCF pageants ran smoothly.

“It was exhausting, but so rewarding,”  Klauder said. “I couldn’t have done it without Sha’ury.”

Planning for the Mr. UCF 2020 and Miss UCF 2020 scholarship pageants starts this July, when the search for a new batch of hopeful contestants will begin.