MEET ERYN

Eryn Grace LaLonde was raised in “The Friendly City” of Bradenton, Florida. She is a Suma Cum Laude graduate from The University of South Florida where she received a Bachelor of Science Degree. While attending The University of South Florida, Eryn was placed on the Dean’s List- a direct result of her dedication, perseverance, and focus on academic excellence. Her tenacity has remained consistent as she is currently working diligently to secure an Executive Master of Healthcare Administration degree through the University of Central Florida.

Her successes throughout her educational journey have been rewarded with various scholarships, including the American Association of University Women (AAUW) Scholarship, the Anna Maria Island Privateers Scholarship, the F.A.C.T. Scholarship, as well as the Women's Resource Center Scholarship, and the Manatee Community Foundation Scholarship.

Eryn’s inherent hard work has spanned far beyond her education; she has freely given her time to volunteer more than 6,000 hours of community service. These hours include various festivals, events, parades, and fundraisers. Eryn has always been

persistent about being involved in her community, as well as encouraging others to come alongside her to help. She believes in the true definition of humanitarian - not only being a person who works to make other people’s lives better, but also to offer time, care, and help without expecting anything in return. She accepted the opportunity to travel to Guatemala on five different occasions to dedicate her time to a malnutrition center, working with One More Child (previously Orphan’s Heart).

Through scholarship research, application, and personal development, LaLonde has earned over $200,000 in scholarship funds. After this fiscal win, she created Operation Success: Planning and Paying for Higher Education., an educational and financial initiative to assist students in planning and paying for their higher education. LaLonde’s mission is to provide people of all ages the tools they need to acquire scholarships; learn the basics of applying for them; resume writing; obtain reference letters; draft required essays and write thank-you letters.

Through one-on-one conference calls with students, she has created a financial program to personally assist students with financial aid opportunities and their scholarship application process. With over 25 clients spanning across six states since March 2021, Operation Success has helped students attain $37,150 in academic scholarships.

At a soaring 6’6”, Eryn does not mind standing out and allows her height to help her leave positive and lasting impressions on those she meets. As the Second Runner Up to the 2015 Miss Florida’s Outstanding Teen “Teens in Action Award”, and the Hernando Desoto Historical Society’s 2017 Queens Court, she is motivated and encouraged to continue her course through pageantry, hoping to help more people, inspire more young women to find and embrace their voices, and encourage others to see and embrace the joy of serving others.