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Miss Land O'Lakes still has a lot more pageants to win to get to the big show, but she still has her dream.
By MICHELLE JONES
© St. Petersburg Times, published October 5, 2001
LAND O'LAKES -- She has always dreamed of being Miss America.
Now Brittany Long is one step closer to her goal. Crowned Miss Land O'Lakes last month, she is eligible to participate in the Miss Pasco County pageant. If she wins that, she can compete to become Miss Florida. With that title would come the opportunity to go to Atlantic City next year and compete for the title of Miss America.
The 16-year-old senior, who is home-schooled by tutors from Tampa Educational Academy of Christian Heritage, said she was surprised that she had won the local title.
"I really thought the other girls deserved it and one of them would win," she said. "It was some tough competition."
Brittany competed in a lot of pageants when she was younger, including the Junior Miss Land O'Lakes pageant.
"I thought I would try this one," she said.
Until the middle of her sophomore year, Brittany attended Land O'Lakes High School.
"I learn more, though, being home-schooled," she said. "But I do miss seeing my friends every day."
When Brittany isn't studying, she works at Kids Stuff Pre-School or at Art Inherited, where she assists her aunts with their mural projects.
One of her artist aunts, D.J. Stevens, says her niece is a determined young woman.
"She has her feet in a lot of fires," said Stevens. "When she sets her mind to do something, she does it. She will be successful."
Brittany also volunteers at The Spring in Tampa and Sunrise of Pasco, working with abused children.
Her mother is Land O'Lakes artist Melody Stevens, and her father is Mitchell Long. She was sponsored by Stevens Pools Inc.
Eventually she wants to become an attorney specializing in family law.
Hobbies include horseback riding, coaching Police Athletic League cheerleading, playing softball and water- and snow skiing.
She attends Northwest Community Church, where she sings in the choir.
"I would probably sing or do a skit if I was in the Miss America contest for the talent portion," she said.
As reigning Miss Land O'Lakes, she will first appear at the Flapjack Festival in November.
"I would like to do some face-painting for the children at the festival," she said. "I love working with children."
She is also looking forward to the parades and ribbon cuttings.
"I am excited to be helping the community," she said. "I really want to be a big part of the community and get other people involved."
- Michelle Jones covers central Pasco community news. She can be reached at (813) 226-3459. Her e-mail address is jones@sptimes.com.