Chi Sigma sorority has announced the 10 finalists for this year’s annual Miss Coral Shores Scholarship Contest. Nearly $1,000 in scholarship money is awarded to the winning “Queen” and $500 is given to the competition’s “princesses.” Prize scholarship money is solely funded by donations from previous queens. Another sorority, Sigma Omega, sponsors the princesses.
Started in 1954, the pageant showcases the personal and academic achievements of 10 young ladies from Coral Shores’ junior class. Organized by Chi Sigma sorority, this year’s competition chairwoman is former Queen Julie Eakin.
In January, all eligible junior girls with a grade point average of 3.0 or higher were invited to enter. Prospective contestants submit paperwork along with essays to judges before an in-person interview. Beginning in March, the finalists will participate in weekly rehearsals leading up to the contest day on April 28 at 7 p.m. at the Coral Shores PAC Center.
“Within this contest there is also the Judy Hoke award, awarded to the girl who is always on time, turns her paperwork in on time, attends all the rehearsals or has taken the initiative to let someone know if they can’t make it; and Miss Congeniality award, chosen by the girls in the contest,” said Coral Shores High School graduate and Chi Sigma sorority member Sandy El-Koury.
Meet the finalists:
Alexandra De Toro
Involved in the National Honor Society, Yoga Club and Key club, De Toro found art to be a creative outlet outside of class. She paints with acrylics and oils. A regular volunteer at Islamorada’s First Baptist Church soup kitchen, De Toro helped coordinate last year’s Coral Isles Church Winter Fest and Thanksgiving grocery bagging at Publix. She’d like to attend University of Central Florida before opening her own practice to work with children and adults in need of prosthetics.
Anna Carucci
A National Honor Society Scholar, Carucci has volunteered more than 100 hours over the last two years, including at the Upper Keys Humane Society. While living in Ankara, Turkey, Carucci helped feed refugees and raised money for an animal shelter housing more than 4,000 starving and diseased dogs. Her aspirations include graduating from West Point Military Academy and serving as an infantry soldier before seeking a law degree.
Emily Dillon
A dancer at heart, Dillon is the spirit captain of the school’s Canettes Dance Team and the junior class vice president. Recognized with the “Heart of Gold” award by her dance peers over the summer, Dillon has given more than 1,000 documented hours of community based service over several years. Her long-term goal is to stay in the Keys running her family’s business, Monroe County Fire Equipment.
Isabella Olsen
A member of the National Honor Society, Student Leadership, and Mu Alpha Theta, Olsen is currently ranked first academically in her class. Along with co-captaining the Canettes, Olsen performs for the school’s drama club and volunteers in the community as part of Interact club. Her plans are to dance her way through a four-year college while living in a major city like New York, Chicago, or Los Angeles. Look for her in “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat!”
Katie Robinson
Robinson serves as secretary of the National Honor Society, treasurer of the math honor society, and the Student Government historian. A two-sport athlete, she is on the varsity tennis team and captain of the cross-country team. She was selected for the “Hurricane Athletic Award” in both sports. Her community service work includes creating an education health module for patients of the community health center in Tavernier. Robinson plans to pursue a career in veterinary medicine.
Lily Costa
As an athlete, Costa is currently ranked 8th in the state for pole vaulting. As an academic, she’s secretary of the National Honor Society, president of Science National Honor Society, and secretary of the Student Council. Costa regularly lends her time to service-based initiatives but especially feels proud of her work helping students faced with disabilities. Her personal goal is to place in the top 3 at State track and field competition this year. Once she graduates, she’d like to study biochemistry at Boston University before moving on to veterinary school.
Sara Kelley
A gifted writer, Kelley is the editor-in-chief of the school’s newspaper, the Hurricane Watch. She’s been published in two Upper Keys publications already, including the Keys Weekly. Along with being co-captain of the Canettes dance team, Kelley is a member of On Your Toes dance studio’s Elite Competition team. Her aspirations are in the world of theater, film-making, and screenplay writing.
Shannon McCormick
A member of the Canettes, McCormick is a server and works management at Mangrove Mike’s Café. Her interests include dancing, cooking, thrift shopping and diving. Her volunteerism includes working the Gigantic Nautical Flea Market, Audubon Society, and passing out treats during Christmas at a nursing home. She hopes to study medicine at the University of Florida and one day become a neurologist.
Sophie Williams
Williams’ hobbies include dancing, kayaking and paddle boarding, photography, and working as the Key Club’s treasurer. Her personal goal is to graduate as valedictorian of the Coral Shores High School Class of 2019. One of her biggest dreams is to attend an Ivy League school. She know she wants to work in a science, technology, engineering, or math field, and is leaning toward becoming a biologist or astronomer.
Tara Amador
A member of the National Honor Society, Science National Honor Society, and Student Council, Amador has never missed a day of school. In fact, her personal goal is to make it to her senior year with perfect attendance. She’s the president and founder of the school’s Yoga Club and a member of the varsity tennis team. Amador volunteers at the MARC store three or four times a week and in the past has volunteered at the Elks Club and San Pedro Catholic Church.
