Get to know my journey!
Hi! My name is Madi, and I currently serve as the reigning Miss Ocala 2026! As a performer, natural-born social butterfly, and constant talker, pageants felt like the obvious next step when I was looking for a platform to share the things I’m passionate about. My stepmom, Amanda Drawdy, who served as Miss Heart of Plant City in 2008, encouraged me to explore the Miss America Organization—and I’m so glad she did!
This scholarship organization places a huge emphasis on community service and making a difference, beginning with the local community each titleholder has the honor of representing. From there, titleholders have the opportunity to compete at the state level, with the state winner advancing to the national competition, Miss America! The four points of the crown represent scholarship, service, success, and style, with sisterhood at its base. Within my first year of competing, I’ve earned around $2,500 in scholarships toward my education, had so many opportunities to serve my community, and found friendships and a sisterhood that I’ll carry with me for a lifetime.
Pageantry and this organization have changed my life for the better, giving me a way to celebrate who I am, share my passions, and serve something bigger than myself. There’s nothing quite like it—or the fancy dresses!
Miss Ocala 2026
As a first-time titleholder, Miss Ocala was the perfect, perfect title to hold! As a sister crown to Miss Gainesville within the Miss Gainesville Organization, I work under Rachel and John Dickhaus, and Rachel is the best local director a girl could ask for. From mock interviews to preparing me for my first Miss Florida Scholarship Competition, her guidance helped me understand what it truly means to be a local titleholder.
Throughout my year so far, I’ve gotten a true taste of Ocala’s culture—including riding horses at Eden Farms, because Ocala is the Horse Capital of the WORLD! Celebrating the opening of Ocala’s very first Raising Cane’s and appearing at the Daddy Daughter Dance at the World Equestrian Center have been some of my favorite memories. I’ve also loved attending other local pageants and cheering on the girls beginning their own journeys!
I love serving the Ocala community and truly wish I could do it forever. Ocala, I’m all yours until January 16, 2027!
My Community Service Initiative
My Community Service Initiative, Ignite the Arts Initiative, was born out of my love for working with kids in the arts. My goal is to help today’s youth build confidence, quick decision-making, and public speaking skills, just as the arts helped build those skills in me! Whether or not a child goes on to become a performer, the lessons they learn through theatre, particularly improv, are ones they can carry with them for a lifetime.
I also have a special passion for working with students with disabilities. Through years of experience, I’ve seen firsthand how the arts can help students develop lifelong skills, express themselves, and grow in confidence. Those experiences have strengthened my belief that every child deserves access to the arts and a space where their creativity is welcomed and encouraged.
Because of this, I’m a passionate advocate for arts funding in schools. I believe the confidence, creativity, and connection that come from an arts education are essential parts of helping children learn, grow, and discover what they’re capable of.
Talent
Talent is by far my absolute favorite part of the preliminary competitions in the Miss America Organization! Singing and performing are my number one passion, so it only made sense to draw inspiration for my song choice from my very favorite role, Jo March in Little Women.
At both my initial local competition and Miss Florida 2026, I sang “Astonishing” from Little Women the musical. (You can find a video of my performance in the role under Media!) This song is especially meaningful to me because it represents standing up for yourself, being astonishing in your OWN way, and being unapologetically and authentically YOU! It’s about having the courage to stand up for what you believe in—a philosophy I hold near and dear to my heart.
It felt only right to choose a song I felt so connected to as a way to introduce myself onstage. “Astonishing” gave me the chance to share my love for performing while celebrating the very confidence and self-worth I hope to help others find through the arts!
