Take a trip back in time with me: The year is 1985. George Brett is the King of Baseball. Back to the Future, The Goonies and The Breakfast Club all reign at the box office. And my aunt is named Miss Kansas, with an opportunity to compete for the title of Miss America.

I was in middle school — trying to figure out how to fix my own hair and wear blue eye shadow like Madonna. But the minute I saw my aunt introduce herself on the stage in Atlantic City, I was hooked. For years, I continued to watch the Miss America program until I was old enough to participate. Although I was never able to follow in her footsteps and win my state title, I never lost my love for the ideals I saw represented.

Last weekend the 102nd edition of Miss America was held in Orlando, Florida. It was my eighth trip to Miss America (a small number compared to dozens of volunteers who have worked with the organization for upwards of 40–50 years). The majority of the events were held at Loews Sapphire Falls Resort (host hotel for the week) and Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Orlando.

I stayed a couple of nights at Loews Sapphire Resort and enjoyed eating at both Strong Water Tavern (serving tapas from five different countries; the goat curry was my undisputed favorite) and Amatista Cookhouse (serving delightful mimosas with brunch). The resort carried a light and creative energy with all the Miss America and Miss America’s Teen contestants staying on site as well. Without even trying, I bumped into the outgoing Teen winner, Morgan Greco (headed to University of Alabama on a full scholarship); plus Miss America 1965, Vonda Van Dyke; and Miss America 1995, Heather Whitestone, all on the elevators going to and from my room.

The hotel also has a water taxi with service to Universal CityWalk, which I shared with Miss America 1974, Rebecca King; and her daughter, Miss Colorado 2011, Diana Dreman. I also passed Miss America 2018, Cara Mund, in the hallways so often, it almost became a running joke!

Loews Sapphire Falls seemed to be an excellent location for a gaggle of pageant people. The lobby featured approximately four dozen colorful woven spheres, cascading down from the three-story ceiling and was large enough to host hundreds of fans who gathered to support their state winner after the pageant was over. Earlier in the week, Miss America’s Magic Expo and Go Red for Women Gala were both held in event spaces on site.

As someone who travels and stays in hotels as part of my profession, I was surprised how convenient and easy it was to experience so much of Miss America in one location. Ideally, I know fans would’ve loved to have the actual pageant in a performance hall connected to the resort (instead of downtown), but it didn’t feel like too much trouble to me. In fact, in many ways, I think it allowed contestants to let their hair down more in the hotel and gear up for their performance at Dr. Phillips Center when it was time for the competition.

When the weekend was through, Miss Colorado, Madison Marsh, was named Miss America 2024. She’s a graduate of the Air Force Academy with a degree in physics, getting her master’s degree at Harvard Kennedy School. She’s currently a second lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force, making her the first active-duty service member to wear the crown. She’s also an advocate for pancreatic cancer research after her mother passed away from the disease at age 41.

Seems like Miss America has come a long way since 1985. And the sky is no longer the limit for the women who compete.

— Carrie Cox, account executive