Kadance Fredericksen has tragically died at the age of 18.
Fredericksen was a pageant contestant who competed for the Miss Florida Teen USA Crown and held the Miss Okaloosa County Teen title.
The teenager was said to be looking forward to the future, having been accepted to nine colleges and aspiring to be a veterinarian, as per local CBS affiliate WKRG.
Heartbreakingly, just days before her passing, Fredericksen interviewed for the presidential scholarship – a full-ride scholarship at Mississippi State University – and was awarded it.
After hearing the devastating news of Fredericksen’s passing, people have taken to her Instagram profile and paid tribute.
One follower wrote, “Rest in peace, sweet girl. My heart is broken.”
Another shared, “Forever in my heart. I will never forget you!”
“It’s heartbreaking that we’ve lost such a beautiful, amazing girl who touched so many lives, especially children,” a third person commented. “Rest easy, beautiful girl.”
Someone else expressed, “My heart and prayers go out to the whole family. Rest in peace, gorgeous.”
Another tribute read, “The most humble and sweetest angel.”
Fredericksen, who endured abuse during her early childhood, was officially adopted by her stepmother, Lisa Fredericksen, in 2017.
Lisa shared that after years of therapy, the teenager chose to enter the world of pageantry. Speaking to People magazine, she recalled: “One day, she came home and asked, ‘Mama, can I do a beauty pageant?’ I said, ‘Of course, but you’ll have to speak in front of people,’ because at the time, she was still very quiet.”
Despite her initial hesitation, Fredericksen took the leap. “She picked the ugliest dress she could find—just because she wanted to feel like a princess. She didn’t win anything,” Lisa said. “But she was hooked.”
Beyond pageantry, Fredericksen dedicated herself to community service, volunteering thousands of hours with the Ronald McDonald House and organizing an annual lemonade stand, which raised over $25,000.
Determined to give back, she later founded Kada’s Promise, an organization that donates teddy bears and blankets to children in foster care, homeless shelters, abuse shelters, and hospitals, according to the charity’s website.
WKRG reported that Fredericksen tragically passed away in a car crash on February 17. Her vehicle collided with a tractor-trailer in Santa Rosa County around 1:30 p.m.
People magazine obtained a statement from the Florida Highway Patrol confirming that an 18-year-old, whose identity was not disclosed, died in the crash at the intersection of State Road 4 and Hurricane Lake Road.
According to officials, Fredericksen’s vehicle crossed into the eastbound lane for unknown reasons, colliding with the tractor-trailer.
The other driver, a 56-year-old man from Milton, sustained only minor injuries.
In their statement, authorities said, “We are still in the early stages of the investigation and ask that we all take a moment for this family, as well as others who have lost a loved one to a traffic crash.”
Following news of Fredericksen’s passing, Miss Florida and Teen Florida USA Family remembered her in a touching statement.
It reads: “Our pageant community has lost a beautiful soul – one who was a true light in this world. She was ambitious, driven, kind, and a leader among her pageant sisters.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with her family, friends, and all who are mourning this devastating loss. May we honor her memory by carrying forward the light she so effortlessly shared with the world and our Florida pageant community.”
Fredericksen’s family is now hoping to continue the teen’s legacy through her charity, encouraging people to bring teddy bears for the February 22 funeral and donate on the charity’s website.
A GoFundMe page has also been launched.
“We want the whole world to know who Kadance is,” Fredericksen’s stepmom said. “We want to continue touching as many lives as we can, even though she’s not here.”
You can get involved with Kada’s Promise here.
