Girl Scout Crowned Miss Homestead 2012

February 18, 2012 – Homestead, Fla. – The Miss Homestead Scholarship Foundation, Inc. crowned Megan Cartaya, Miss Homestead 2012 at Homestead High School. As a member of the Girl Scout Council of Tropical Florida, Cartaya was crowned by fellow Girl Scout and Miss Homestead 2011, Tiffany Hernandez. Cartaya’s younger sister and Girl Scout Cadette, Brianna, will serve as her Princess for appearances during her year as Miss Homestead. 

Cartaya amazed the audience with her sign language version of Taylor Swift’s The Story of Us. The judges asked, “What has Girl Scouting meant to you after all of these years?” She responded by saying, "It taught me leadership skills, how to be independent, and has given me a sense of female empowerment." Cartaya’s work with Girl Scouts earned her the Girl Scouts’ Silver Award through Troop 270 led by Debi Hoak, by developing and building a sensory garden at the Island Dolphin Care Center. 

Cartaya is currently a student at the University of Central Florida (UCF). Along with the title of Miss Homestead, a $1,200 scholarship, custom-designed gold crown ring, and other gift certificates for gowns were awarded. She also won the highest GPA award in the competition consequently earning a $300 scholarship. Cartaya recently made the President's Honor Roll at UCF and also was recently nominated by UCF for the National Society for Collegiate Scholars, which is an honors organization that recognizes and elevates high achievers. She serves as correspondent for "Her Campus" which is an online magazine at UCF. Cartaya is also a charter member of the sorority, Delta Zeta, which focuses on working with children with special needs.  

Cartaya will represent Homestead and compete for the title of Miss Florida in July with a platform of taking the "Dis" out of Disability. If she wins the title of Miss Florida, Cartaya will represent the state in the Miss America competition.