Mississippi State University mourns loss of prospective student Kadance Fredericksen from Baker, Florida

Contact: Allison Matthews

The Mississippi State University family is mourning the loss of a prospective student—Florida Baker School senior Kadance Fredericksen, who interviewed this past week for MSU’s Presidential Scholarship, the institution’s most prestigious academic award. She was one of only 40 students chosen to interview out of 700 applications.

Fredericksen died tragically in an automobile accident Monday [Feb. 17] on Highway 4 in Santa Rosa County, Florida.

Baker School Principal Michael J. Martello posted on social media, “Kadance was a beacon of light in our community, known for her compassion, tireless advocacy for children in need, and unwavering dedication to making a difference. Through her efforts with Kada’s Promise, she brought hope and comfort to thousands of children experiencing trauma, collecting and distributing over 12,000 teddy bears and blankets to children in need. Her work inspired us all, and her legacy will live on in the countless lives she touched.”

MSU Director of Undergraduate Student Recruitment and Marketing Naron Remillard said Fredericksen stood out as someone “special,” and that the entire MSU Office of Enrollment Services had gotten to know her by name.

“Kadance was selected based on her academic merit, leadership and a commitment to serve others. As soon as we started to work with her, we knew she was a special student as her smile and passion for helping other students shown bright. Kadance was going to make an impact on the world, and we felt honored that MSU was going to be a part of her journey,” Remillard said.

Dee Stegall, assistant director of outreach and operations for MSU’s Office of Admissions, said while Fredericksen seemed very excited about her opportunities at MSU during her most recent campus visit, she selflessly “spent all of her time rallying around her best friend and making sure her best friend’s day was perfect while she was on her visit. Kadance was certainly grateful for the Presidential Scholarship opportunity but that took the background for her, as making sure her friend had the perfect day took center stage.”

Stegall said her actions demonstrated how she embodied the Bulldog spirit.

“President Keenum talks often about real servant leadership, treating everyone with respect and being kind. She lived all of those, every single day. I don’t know that there is a prospective student that has had a larger impact on our office,” he said.

In addition to founding the nonprofit Kada’s Promise, which provides teddy bears and encouragement to children in foster care, Fredericksen successfully competed in pageants, winning the title of Miss Okaloosa County Teen USA and recently competing in Miss Teen Florida. Her pageant activities also included raising philanthropic funds for the Ronald McDonald House. Among other accolades, Fredericksen was a member of the National Honor Society and the youngest person to receive the Crestview Citizen of the Year award.

Stegall said that the university family would like to direct supporters to the Fredericksen family’s Go Fund Me page at https://www.gofundme.com/f/in-loving-memory-of-kadance-elise-fredericksen, however, MSU supporters also may donate teddy bears for Kada’s Promise at Montgomery Hall.

A Celebration of Life service is planned for this Saturday, Feb. 22.

https://brackneyfuneralservice.com/obituary/kadance-elise-fredericksen/