Aileen Cerchiara

Congratulations to Aileen Cerchiara, our new Miss Florida USA! 👑

A Registered Nurse from Baycare, Aileen returned to the Miss Florida USA stage after finishing as First Runner Up last year, and this time, she took the crown. As the first in her family to pursue a career in healthcare, she’s built her platform on breaking barriers — and on turning personal loss into purpose. After losing her father to MDS, a rare form of cancer, she founded “Making Days Significant,” a campaign dedicated to spreading awareness, funding research, and supporting others facing the disease.

With Latina roots and a deep connection to her community, Aileen draws inspiration from Antonia Novello, the first woman and first Latina U.S. Surgeon General, and hopes to follow that same example — using her new platform to advocate for healthcare equality and give a voice to underserved communities. Her ambition has already made her one of the youngest nurses in leadership on her unit, and she brings that same energy to her reign: a genuine gift for connecting with people from all walks of life.

As Miss Florida USA, Aileen wants to show young girls that life’s hardest moments don’t define them — how they rise above them does. Her goal is a legacy rooted in compassion, human connection, and hope for every person she meets along the way.

Your 2026 Miss Florida USA! 🎉