UF student assumes title of Miss Florida 2005

September 8, 2005

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — With the resignation of Candance Cragg as Miss Florida 2005, University of Florida College of Health and Human Performance senior Mari Wilensky will assume the title and duties of Miss Florida 2005. Wilensky was the first runner-up at the 2005 state pageant and the reigning Miss University of Florida.

Cragg made the decision to step down on Sept. 4, 2005, to pursue personal and professional goals outside of the Miss America Organization.

Wilensky is majoring in exercise and sport sciences, and is scheduled to graduate with her bachelor’s degree in December 2005. She then plans to continue graduate work in education.

Her community service platform issue is entitled “Literally at Risk: A Personalized Approach to Literacy.” Her volunteer work through this platform focuses on motivating at-risk elementary students to read via the distribution of personalized books to their schools, and also emphasizes the importance of children’s physical fitness and health.

Wilensky will step into a busy appearance schedule as Miss Florida 2005 and will actively begin preparation to compete for Miss America 2006, which will take place in January.