USF’s Miss Florida advances to Miss America with a mission to raise brain injury awareness

By Paul Guzzo, University Communications & Marketing

Alexandra de Roos doesn't compete in pageants for the spotlight.

She competes because each crown allows her to shine a brighter spotlight on her cause of advocating for awareness of brain trauma, something she had to overcome.

Now, after winning Miss Florida, the 23-year-old Winter Haven native and senior in the University of South Florida Judy Genshaft Honors College is preparing to compete for pageantry's biggest spotlight - the Miss America title - on Sept. 6.

You can watch the Miss America 2027 Final Crowning Event live for free on the official Miss America YouTube Channel or via PageantVision, a niche pageant-streaming platform, on Sept. 6, starting at 7 p.m.

"As Miss America, I will continue to be a voice for traumatic brain injury survivors, encouraging them to know that recovery is possible, while continuing to advocate for better access to care," said de Roos, who's pursuing a bachelor's degree in psychology on a pre-medical track, with plans to become a neuropsychiatrist and open a post-concussion rehabilitation clinic.

The road to Miss America requires more than a crown

Balancing the responsibilities of a titleholder while preparing for the next competition is even more challenging.

Pageant contestants are evaluated in five categories: private interview, talent, fitness, evening gown and onstage question. The interview, worth 30% of the score, allows judges to assess a contestant's accomplishments, leadership abilities and commitment to community service. Talent, fitness and evening gown each account for 20%, while the onstage question tests a contestant's ability to communicate under pressure.

To prepare for her competition talent, de Roos trains in ballet, spends time in the gym and participates in mock interviews with community leaders and business professionals who ask unscripted questions similar to those she may face from judges.

She balances those responsibilities with taking classes full-time and runs The Blue Project: Integrating Neuroscience and the Arts Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that raises awareness about brain injuries and promotes the use of creative arts to support recovery and resilience.

She also regularly meets with people recovering from brain injuries, hoping to inspire them.

"As a local titleholder of Miss Tampa, I averaged three appearances a week, maintained a challenging academic course load, and was director of philanthropy for Alpha Delta Pi," she said. "I hope my story can be inspirational because, after my brain injury, I struggled to communicate with ease."

She turned a brain injury into a mission

De Roos suffered a concussion at 18 while studying at New York City's School of American Ballet.

Believing the injury was minor, de Roos continued training for two days before seeking medical attention and being diagnosed with a concussion.

Over the following months, de Roos experienced post-concussion syndrome, including symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, headaches, light sensitivity and difficulty with word-mapping. The injury forced her to medically retire from ballet and focus on rehabilitation

As a child, de Roos participated in the Miss America Little Sisters Program, which pairs contestants with young girls as mentors. So, during recovery, her mother encouraged her to return to pageants - not for the competition, but as a way to rebuild her communication skills as the competition emphasizes public speaking.

The crown became a platform for change

With each title she won, de Roos realized the crown's true value wasn't the accolade itself, but the platform it provided. She used each opportunity to encourage others to avoid her mistake of downplaying a concussion and pushing forward as if nothing was wrong.

"I believe the best titleholders are those focused on issues beyond the competition," de Roos said. "Being a well-rounded person outside pageantry prepares you for the responsibilities that come with wearing a crown, whether that's making public appearances, visiting hospitals or serving the community."

To navigate her demanding schedule, de Roos recalls advice given by her mother during her high school years, where she balanced full-time ballet training with a rigorous academic course load.

"I break down every task and goal into small digestible bites each day," she said. "I prioritize. I look at the timeline and see what needs to be done first and make sure I'm doing something to further whatever that day's goals may be."

Her goal for this September is obvious - win Miss America.

"I hope that, as Miss America, I can share my message across the country," de Roos said. "If I'm fortunate enough to win, I want to show others that it's possible to turn one of life's biggest challenges into a source of purpose and positive impact."