The world lost a bright and compassionate young woman with the passing of 18-year-old Kadance Fredericksen.
A former Miss Teen USA pageant queen, she was known for her charitable work and her determination to make a difference.
Tragically, her life was cut short in a devastating car crash, leaving her family, friends, and community in shock and grief.
A Mysterious Crash Just Minutes from Home
Kadance was driving on Highway 4 near Hurricane Lake Road in Milton, Florida, when her vehicle veered into oncoming traffic and collided head-on with a tractor-trailer.
The crash occurred at 1:30 p.m., only three minutes away from her home.
Authorities are still investigating what led to the accident, as the reason behind her sudden swerve remains unknown.
Her mother, Lisa Fredericksen, was not at home at the time and only learned of the tragedy after police informed her oldest daughter.
“I have no idea what happened,” Lisa shared, overwhelmed with grief.
From Shy Beginnings to Pageant Success
Kadance’s journey was one of resilience and transformation.
She had a difficult start in life, suffering from neglect and abuse before being taken in by her father and stepmother, Lisa, who officially adopted her in 2017.
As a young girl, Kadance was extremely shy, but after years of therapy, she decided to step into the world of pageantry.
“She came home one day and asked me if she could do a beauty pageant,” Lisa recalled.
“I told her, ‘If you do, you have to talk in front of people.’
She barely spoke at the time, but she was determined.”
Her first pageant didn’t result in any wins, but that didn’t matter—Kadance was hooked.
Over time, she blossomed into a confident and accomplished young woman, using her platform to advocate for causes close to her heart.
A Heart for Charity: ‘Kada’s Promise’
Kadance dedicated much of her time to helping others.
She volunteered with the Ronald McDonald House and raised over $25,000 for the organization.
Inspired by her own experiences in foster care, she founded her own initiative, ‘Kada’s Promise,’ which provided teddy bears and blankets to children in foster care, homeless shelters, and hospitals.
On her organization’s website, she wrote about how a single stuffed bear was her only comfort during a traumatic childhood.
“I carried him with me from house to house, couch to couch, and clutched him tightly in the scariest times.
It is from these memories that Kada’s Promise was born.”
A Future Full of Dreams
Kadance had big plans for her future.
She had been accepted into nine colleges and had dreams of becoming a veterinarian.
Just a day before the tragic accident, she had received a full-ride presidential scholarship to Mississippi State University and was awarded the prestigious $40,000 Ellison McCraney Ingram Foundation scholarship.
Her last Instagram post celebrated these achievements, showing how excited she was for the next chapter of her life.
Honoring Kadance’s Legacy
The Fredericksen family is determined to keep Kadance’s legacy alive.
They have asked attendees of her funeral to bring teddy bears to be donated to Kada’s Promise, ensuring her work continues even in her absence.
A GoFundMe campaign has also been set up to support her initiative.
“We want the whole world to know who Kadance is,” her mother said.
“Even though she’s not here, we want to keep touching as many lives as we can.”
An Outpouring of Love and Tributes
The news of Kadance’s passing has deeply affected the pageant community.
Miss Teen USA released a heartfelt statement, describing her as “a beautiful soul, a true light in this world, ambitious, driven, kind, and a leader among her pageant sisters.”
Baker School, where Kadance was a senior, also expressed their sorrow.
“Please keep the family, the town, and the school in your thoughts as they will all miss and grieve this young lady.”
Kadance may be gone, but her impact will live on through her kindness, generosity, and the legacy of ‘Kada’s Promise.’
This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!Share on Facebook «||» Share on Twitter «||» Share on Reddit «||» Share on LinkedIn