MISS GULF BREEZE FLORIDA 2024

Autumn Jones 

Vanessa Anne De Vries

Vanessa is a nine year old native of Texas and daughter of Christina Michelle and David De Vries. She grew up with a paint brush in her hand and a love of nature in her soul. She has been recognized for her outstanding art work at the prestigious and highly competitive S.P.A. Houston Student Art Contest by Wells Fargo in 2019 and 2021. She also earned the “2022 World Class Pageantry Art Scholarship”.  Her love of art extends to fashion design, and re-designing on a theme. She has worn many of her own re-designed dresses (constructed with the help of her grandma) on the stage at NAM, NA-AM, IAM, WCP, and Coastal Camellia Pageants. Vanessa began her creative journey as a dedicated Daisy Girl Scout, earning all of her petals before bridging to Brownie Girl Scouts and moving to the beautiful Emerald Coast of Florida. She has truly enjoyed learning about dolphins and sea turtles, loves going to the beach, dancing along the shore edge and creating paintings with paint and sand. She is passionate about saving sea turtles and educating others in sand castle protocols  and conservation. Her favorite place is along the shores of Opal Beach on Santa Rosa Island where she dances in the waves and runs freely through the breeze. 

Vanessa has a big heart and genuinely loves others. Recently, she was awarded the WCP “2023 Humanitarian Scholarship Award” for her hard work helping others through: Church and many, many non-profits across Santa Rosa, Escambia and Okaloosa Counties. Vanessa is as hard working at school, where she continues to meet and exceed the high goals she sets for herself resulting in a beautiful education. One of her favorite teacher’s described her approach to leaning best by stating: “Vanessa is on fire”. This same fire led her to the “2022 Young Author” award through National American Miss “NAM”, and through international American Miss “IAM”; and the WCP “2023 Top Interview” award. She has earned many other special recognitions and titles through natural pageantry, and is greatly looking forward to this year as your 2024 Little Miss Gulf Breeze, Florida Queen.

“Reaching Beyond—Together” is Vanessa's platform this year. As your “Little Miss Gulf Breeze Queen”, she is committed to serve those in need through: emotional support; collecting donations of food or clothing for those in need; bringing good cheer and sharing stories with the elderly; helping to teach about conservation and change the public mindset towards preserving our natural resources and environment; and to make a positive difference in the lives of others. “Reaching beyond” is her motto, because she believes we can each do more than we think we can and together, we make the world better, brighter, more livable and loving.