Dominique Tregunno, of Fort Myers, serves as Mrs. Florida American, and Abigail Eberhart, of Fort Myers Beach, was crowned Mrs. Florida America, walking parallel paths toward Mrs. America later this summer. -COURTESY PHOTOS

As Naples’ restaurateur Emily Monty celebrates another year as Mrs. Naples, two more Southwest Floridians – Mrs. Fort Myers Dominique Tregunno and Mrs. Paradise Coast Abigail Eberhart– progress toward Mrs. American and Mrs. America, respectively.

Eberhart of Fort Myers Beach and Tregunno of Fort Myers scored a double victory for Southwest Florida at the Mrs. Florida America Pageant, held in Orlando in June, and advance to Las Vegas for the Mrs. America pageant the last week in August into early September.

The two newly crowned women also advance their causes of service and leadership along the way. Eberhart advocates for swim safety and Tregunno for vision and youth support, among other causes.

“What makes this year especially special is seeing Southwest Florida represented so strongly. I represented the Paradise Coast, while Dominique Tregunno represented Fort Myers. It is very uncommon for contestants from neighboring communities within the same region to finish first and runner-up in the same competition, making this an extraordinary moment for Southwest Florida,” Eberhart said.

Further, Tregunno shares unique stories of triumph from foster care to one of Florida’s leading ladies and out of steel toe construction boots into stilettos to walk crowned on the pageant stages. She has called the rural town of Alva and the city of Fort Myers home.

Tregunno was crowned Mrs. Florida American, a sister pageant to the longer-held Mrs. America. She threw out the first pitch for the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels on July 10. Eberhart was crowned Mrs. Florida America. Both advance and are on parallel paths that can lead toward Mrs. World.

Mrs. Paradise Coast

Eberhart, Mrs. Paradise Coast, was crowned Mrs. Florida in June and continues forward for a chance at Mrs. America at the Mrs. America Pageant in Las Vegas, Aug. 25 to Sept. 3 at the Westgate Las Vegas Resort and Casino in Nevada.  The public information officer for the Town of Fort Myers Beach, Eberhart, is a graduate of Georgetown University.

Crowned Mrs. Florida American, Abigail Eberhart of Fort Myers Beach, advances toward Mrs. America. -COURTESY PHOTO

Eberhart uses her platform toward swim safety and drowning prevention, expanding access to lifesaving swim instruction for children and families. She is an American Red Cross nationally certified water safety instructor.

“As a water safety advocate, I have seen firsthand how education saves lives,” said Eberhart.

Mrs. Paradise Coast advanced swim safety and hurricane recovery in the region and the crown expands upon that audience.

“This title is both an honor and a responsibility. I am committed to using this platform to help ensure every child has access to the skills they need to stay safe in and around the water.”

“Since the competition, we have already begun using our titles to support charitable organizations throughout Southwest Florida, and that work is only beginning. At the end of August, I will have the honor of representing Florida at Mrs. America, where I look forward to continuing to share the story of Hurricane Ian recovery, disaster preparedness, and the resilience of Southwest Florida with a national audience. Should I advance to Mrs. World, it would be an incredible privilege to bring the story of our region to an international stage,” Eberhart said.

She and Tregunno support each other and Floridians along the way.

“It was an incredible honor to represent Florida’s Paradise Coast on the state stage. Southwest Florida has been through so much over the past several years, particularly following Hurricane Ian, and I felt a deep responsibility to share not only our challenges but also the remarkable resilience of our communities. My platform focuses on hurricane preparedness, disaster response, and water safety, so having the opportunity to tell the story of our region’s recovery and the strength of the people who call it home was incredibly meaningful.”

From foster homes toward world stage

Tregunno, Mrs. Fort Myers, was crowned Mrs. Florida American 2026 this June in Orlando. She brings a strong commitment to community service, leadership, and advocacy in her pageantry as well. Tregunno understands firsthand the life-changing impact that early intervention and community support programs can have on a child’s future. Her personal journey in foster care and throughout life has inspired her commitment to helping others facing similar challenges.

Through her advocacy efforts, Tregunno raises awareness about childhood vision issues and supports organizations that provide resources, screenings, and assistance to families in need. She believes that every child deserves the opportunity to reach their full potential through access to proper eye care and educational support. She is a youth advocate and spokesperson for Sightsavers and the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, among others.

She has four children and has worked as a construction project superintendent, proudly proclaiming her “steel toes by day and high heels by night” lifestyle and career paths.

She was born and raised in Fort Myers and Cape Coral and grew up in the Lee County foster care system. Winning held a deeply personal meaning for her. One of the first things she did was return to the foster home where she was raised to share her crown with the young girls and women who helped shape her life.

“It was a powerful reminder that these titles are about far more than a crown. They are opportunities to inspire, serve, and give back,” Eberhart said.

Abigail Eberhart of Fort Myers Beach wins in Florida and advances toward Mrs. America in the late August pageant held in Las Vegas, to be aired on national television and streamed online. -COURTESY PHOTO

Pageant leadership

For the first time in decades, Mrs. Florida America owner and director Jackie Siegel led the organization without her husband, David Siegel, by her side since his passing.

Together, she and David, founder of Westgate Resorts, created a legacy of entrepreneurship, philanthropy, and community service. Jackie continues that legacy through her leadership of the Mrs. America organization and through the work of Victoria’s Voice Foundation founded in memory of their daughter, Victoria. Victoria’s Voice fights against substance abuse and the opioid epidemic through education, advocacy and legislative initiatives.

“This year represented more than a pageant,” Siegel said. “It was a celebration of resilience, service, and purpose. The women who participate in this organization are leaders in their communities, and I am honored to continue supporting them as they use their voices to make a difference.”

The organization also crowned Chelsee Delgado of Melbourne as Miss Florida for America Strong 2026.

Together, Eberhart, Tregunno, and Delgado, as well as Monty of Naples, represent the diversity, strength, and service-minded leadership found throughout Florida. As ambassadors for their communities and their respective titles, they each use their platforms to advance meaningful causes and inspire positive change.

“I am honored to represent Florida while advocating for vision awareness and supporting organizations like Victoria’s Voice,” Tregunno said.

The 2026 class of titleholders reflects the mission that has long defined the Mrs. America organization: empowering women to lead through service, advocacy, and purpose. Under Jackie Siegel’s leadership, the organization continues to honor its legacy while inspiring a new generation of women to make a lasting impact in their communities. They advance toward the next level to represent the nation at the competition to be held in Las Vegas in late summer.

Mrs. Naples double crown

Although Monty doesn’t progress to the next stage with her Southwest Floridian co-pageant friends, she delights in a second year crowned Mrs. Naples.

Emily Monty is crowned Mrs. Naples in 2025 and 2026. -COURTESY PHOTO

She says every day is a celebration of love, community, creativity and purpose. Whether she’s greeting guests at Spanky’s Speakeasy, tending her gardens, strutting the runway or empowering the next generation of confident women, she lives life in vibrant color.

“You’re never too old to do whatever you want in life. Big or small, step out and make your goals happen. Life is the special occasion,” Monty said.

Monty received the People’s Choice Award and serves a second year as Mrs. Naples. She was originally awarded the title of Mrs. Naples in June 2025 in Orlando by the Florida America Pageant.

Monty’s life is uniquely shaped by the animals she adores.

“I have loved animals since before I can remember. They have always brought such joy to my life. My husband Ted shares the same passion. We started with our mutual love for English bulldogs. As the years have passed, we have expanded into building our little farm. It is something we enjoy doing together. It gives us a sense of purpose to provide the best homes we can to all of our furry and feathery family members.”

Watching who’s crowned

Mrs. Florida America is the Florida preliminary to the Mrs. America Pageant. The organization celebrates the accomplishments of married women. Watch on Hulu, Disney+ and other platforms. Visit pageantvision.com for more details.