- December 4, 2025
Ormond Beach's Gianna Capri, 11, the first Miss Florida Junior All American, held a meet-and-greet at the 11th annual Girls in Aviation Day at on Saturday, Sept. 20, hosted by SheltAir at the Daytona Beach International Airport.
Gianna is connected to the local aviation community through her mother, Jennifer Capri, a pilot.
"It’s inspiring to see so many positive women role models for these young ladies," Capri said in a press release. "To be able to attend an event of this magnitude when I was growing would have been incredible. Daytona Beach is rich with aviation opportunities and bringing professional people together these young girls can see anything is possible with hard work and doing well in school.
Girls in Aviation Day, hosted by the Women in Aviation International Daytona Beach Chapter, is designed to inspire young girls to pursue careers in aviation and aerospace. Attendees had the opportunity to meet female pilots, engineers, air traffic controllers and other professionals, as well as look through interactive exhibits, participate in hands-on activities and watch demonstrations.
“Girls in Aviation Day in Daytona Beach is more than just an event," said Daytona Beach Chapter President Vanesa Miksa. "It is an opportunity for young girls to step into the world of aviation, meet role models, and discover that the sky is not the limit but just the beginning. Every year, we see their excitement grow, and it reminds us why representation and mentorship matter so much in this industry."
In addition to the meet-and-greet, Gianna discussed her initiative, Michael's Ohana, and collected toys for their upcoming annual holiday toy drive benefiting Daytona Beach youth.
