Greater New Smyrna Beach community supports Local gal Tia Winn-McDonald with funds to Vegas to compete in Miss Teen US pageant

Courtesy photos / Thanks to the Pasttime Princess and the Dolpinview Restaurant, and with a little assist from NSBNews.net and the power of the Internet, Tia Winn-McDonald of Edgewater, has enough money for her trip to Las Vegas to compete in the Miss Teen United States pageant July 7-15. She still needs to raise another $1,000 to cover personal expenses, but at least her trip is now covered. 
In the far left photo, Tia Winn-McDonald poses with New Smyrna Beach High School Principal James Tager following her graduation last month in Daytona Beach. In the near photo, she has her picture taken on the beach.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- When Tia Winn-McDonald put out a plea on her Facebook page for help with fundraising for her upcoming trip to Las Vegas, NSBNews.net stepped up to the plate with a story posted just after midnight Sunday on its website and then posted a link to the story on Facebook with reminders again on Tuesday and Wednesday.

The initial Facebook message read: "A local gal, Tia Winn-McDonald of Edgewater, is trying to raise money to help with expenses for her upcoming Miss Teen US pageant in Las Vegas. Read on with how you can help her..."

NSBNews.net kept that story on its top stories section until late Wednesday evening when Winn-McDonald sent a message that she had enough pledges for the dinner Friday night.

She added in her message to NSBNews.net, "I'm extremely excited for nationals! I've worked so many years on capturing the state title, and I've worked many hours getting ready for nationals! I can't wait to represent Florida and show the United States all that I have! It's such an honor to go to such a huge pageant/production, and I know that I'll be making memories that Ill never forget!!!"

She added in her message to NSBNews.net, "I'm extremely excited for nationals! I've worked so many years on capturing the state title, and I've worked many hours getting ready for nationals! I can't wait to represent Florida and show the United States all that I have! It's such an honor to go to such a huge pageant/production, and I know that I'll be making memories that Ill never forget!!!"

Winn-McDonald, 18, graduated with honors last month from New Smyrna Beach High School. She has competed in numerous pageants and contributed countless hours to community causes over the last several years. Also, last month she was named Miss Teen Florida at a competition in Ormond Beach, setting the stage for the national contest in Las Vegas.

NSBNews.net's Google Analytics show that the story written Winn-McDonald's fundraising situation was read by 1,723 Internet users through midnight Wednesday. The story was re-posted on Facebook on Tuesday and Wednesday with similar pleas for readers to go to the story for details.

NSBNews.net's Google Analytics show that the story written Winn-McDonald's fundraising situation was read by 1,723 Internet users through midnight Wednesday. The story was re-posted on Facebook on Tuesday and Wednesday with similar pleas for readers to go to the story for details.

In response to NSBNews.net's initial Facebook posting, New Smyrna Beach Realtor Tom Alcorn wrote of the Friday night Pastime dinner and cruise: "Lucy & Tom Alcorn will be there! Great girl, she deserves to win national title!"

Facebook user Audrey Ross Ostoyic added: "So glad you did a story on this Henry. She is an amazing young woman that has such a huge heart and sweet spirit. Wish I could be there." 

Here is the link to the initial NSBNews.net story:
 

NSBNews.net, also known as VolusiaNews.net, provides Volusia County 24 / 7 Internet newspaper coverage, 100% free with breaking news, news of record and investigative reports from New Smyrna Beach, FL, for a 21st-century digital world.