Kadance Fredericksen, an 18-year-old Miss Teen USA pageant competitor and former Miss Okaloosa County Teen USA winner, died in a head-on collision with a tractor-trailer on February 17, 2025, just three minutes from her home in Baker, Florida. The crash occurred when Fredericksen’s sedan veered into oncoming traffic on a Florida highway in Santa Rosa County for reasons still under investigation.
“She was the kindest person who just wanted everyone to be happy,” said Lisa Fredericksen, Kadance’s adoptive mother.
The fateful day came just 24 hours after Fredericksen had been awarded a $40,000 college scholarship. She was accepted to nine universities, including Mississippi State University (MSU), where she received the “full-ride” award. Her academic achievements placed her among 40 students selected to interview for MSU’s prestigious Presidential Scholarship. She planned to pursue her lifelong dream of becoming a veterinarian, having already demonstrated leadership and academic excellence at Baker School in Florida.
Despite early life challenges that included abuse and neglect, Fredericksen’s life transformed after her adoption by Lisa Fredericksen in 2017. Rather than let her past define her, she channeled her experiences into creating positive change. In the same year as her adoption, she founded “Kada’s Promise,” a charitable organization that grew to provide more than 15,000 teddy bears and blankets to children in foster care, shelters for abuse survivors, and hospitals worldwide.
The Miss Florida and Teen Florida USA pageant organizations spoke highly of Fredericksen’s impact on the pageant community, remembering her as someone who radiated positivity and inspired those around her. They described her as not just ambitious and driven but also profoundly kind and a natural leader among her fellow pageant sisters, leaving a lasting impression on everyone she met.
Beyond her pageant achievements, Fredericksen dedicated substantial time to various charitable initiatives. She spearheaded fundraising efforts that generated over $25,000 for the Ronald McDonald House. Her philanthropic work extended far beyond her organization, as she consistently sought new ways to serve her community and help those in need.
Details from the crash investigation revealed that Fredericksen was traveling on a straight section of highway when her vehicle crossed the center line. The tractor-trailer driver, who sustained minor injuries, was not arrested. Law enforcement officials continue investigating the factors that may have caused Fredericksen’s vehicle to veer into oncoming traffic. “We have no idea what happened,” Lisa Fredericksen said, noting that her daughter was an experienced driver familiar with the route.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that mourners bring teddy bears to continue Fredericksen’s mission through Kada’s Promise. Mississippi State University has established a GoFundMe page to support the Fredericksen family.
“We want the world to know who Kadance was and to continue touching as many lives as we can, even though she is no longer here,” her family stated.
