Kadance Fredericksen, an 18-year-old beauty queen, tragically lost her life in a devastating car collision on a Florida highway.
According to the Daily Mail, Former Miss Okaloosa County Teen USA, Kadance Fredericksen, encountered a fatal accident on Highway 4 this Monday.
Kadance was maneuvering her sedan on Highway 4 when her vehicle collided head-on with a tractor-trailer operated by a 56-year-old man. The incident happened this past Monday, sending shockwaves through her community in Baker, Florida.
Born and raised in Baker, Florida, Kadance was not only known for her crowning as Miss Okaloosa County Teen USA but also for her significant contributions beyond the pageant stage. At the time of her untimely death, she was a senior at Baker School.
Following the tragic news, Baker School released a heartfelt statement expressing deep sorrow over the loss of Kadance. Recognizing the impact of her death, the school has made mental health support accessible to grieving students and faculty.
Grief counselors and psychological support were made available at Baker School to help the community cope with the profound loss of such a vibrant and promising student.
In memory of Kadance's charitable spirit, her initiative, ‘Kada’s Promise’, aims to provide comfort to vulnerable children. She founded the charity to distribute teddy bears and blankets to children in need, inspired by her own challenging childhood experiences of homelessness and abuse.
Kadance's motivation for the charity was rooted in her past, as she shared with WEAR News in 2019, "I was inspired to help others because I experienced homelessness and abuse as a child until I was taken in by my father and adoptive mother."
On her charity’s website, she recalled the comfort found in a simple gift during her early years, stating, "During many dark times in my early childhood, the only thing that I could call my own or that made me feel safe was a single teddy bear."
Apart from her involvement in beauty competitions and her charity work, Kadance also made significant contributions to the Ronald McDonald House, raising an impressive $25,000. Her efforts underscored her dedication to aiding those in distress, especially children facing health crises.
She demonstrated her commitment not only through charity but also by actively participating in various beauty pageants, including her recent competition as Miss Teen Florida. Despite her busy schedule, she consistently used her platform to advocate for disadvantaged children.
Kadance reflected on her journey and challenges during a conversation with WCJB last year. She shared, "When I was little, my biological mother and stepfather abused and neglected me. Now that I’m in a safe home with a safe family, I learned I wasn’t the only kid that went through that."
Just a week before her fatal accident, the Ellison McCraney Ingram Foundation awarded Kadance a $40,000 scholarship, recognizing her potential and her aspirations for the future.
In her last Instagram post, Kadance expressed gratitude for the scholarship, writing, "This generous support will help shape my future and bring me one step closer to achieving my dreams."
The Florida Highway Patrol is actively investigating the crash that claimed Kadance’s life. So far, authorities have not made any arrests regarding the incident.
Kadance's story serves as a poignant reminder of the fragility of life and the impact one young individual can have on her community and beyond. Her legacy through 'Kada's Promise' and her numerous contributions will continue to inspire and support those in need, reflecting the light she brought into the world.
