LEESBURG — You might have seen Miss Teen Leesburg, Shaylin Shumate, at local grand opening events and festivals.
Going above and beyond expectations, the 2024-25 pageant winner collected 1,536 pounds of food for the Leesburg Food Bank.
“Once we got there, the folks at the food bank were just astonished at how much she had collected,” Shaylin’s mom, Amber Nelson, told the Daily Commercial, adding that she and her husband had to rent an additional trailer to haul all the food in addition to a family member’s pickup truck.
“They said it was the biggest single delivery they had ever received,” Amber effused. “So, that was just one of those feel-good things to know, that she had done so well.”
Linda Watts, founder and director of Miss Florida’s Hometown America Pageants, the nonprofit that coordinates the Miss Leesburg pageants, echoed Amber’s appraisal.
“Shaylin did a great job of organizing the drive, putting out donation boxes, collecting donations each week, storing the food and loading it on the trailer for delivery to the food bank, Watts said.
“We also recognize her parents, Jameson Shumate and Amber and Garrett Nelson for their help.”
Looking back, Amber was Miss Fruitland Park in 2007 and has inspired her daughter to follow in her footsteps, but the proud mom insists that Shaylin decided the pageant path all on her own.
“She keeps us busy,” Amber said with a weary laugh.
“Even when Shaylin was barely walking, she just had a heart to want to help. Whether it was baby birds or a bird that had fallen out of a tree, she would go around after storms and help any animals that we could find.”
A look back Miss Leesburg pageant 2021
Miss Teen Leesburg is her third pageant title in Leesburg.
“Shaylin has been very involved in the community,” Amber continued. “This being her third year, people know who she is. They’re recognizing her when she’s out and about.”
Pageant leader Watts also credits the Leesburg Police Department, Envy Salon and Esthetics, SalonCentric, Villages Elementary School and Citizens First Bank for their support in the effort.
Each year, usually in September, girls compete in five age divisions to be the next Miss Leesburg for their age group. The contest is coordinated by the nonprofit Florida’s Hometown U.S.A Program Inc., which also presents the Miss Florida’s Hometown USA Pageant later in the year.
This article originally appeared on Daily Commercial: Miss Teen Leesburg donates massive haul to food bank
