Sanford Woman Makes Final 3 on The Bachelor | Review/The Scribe

This season of The Bachelor presents us with our very own hometown hopeful. 23-year-old Vienna Girardi of Sanford, Florida is one of the 25 bachelorettes competing for Jake Pavelka’s heart. A graduate of the University of Central Florida, the Sanford native has chosen to find love once and for all through the ABC reality show.

Vienna, though an early favorite of Jake, didn’t receive the same welcome from her fellow housemates. But even after repeatedly being made the center of household drama, Jake found himself falling in love with the Sanford sweetheart. Now, down to the final 3, Vienna is still in the running to become Jake’s potential wife; spoiler reports even claim Vienna may be the woman awarded the final rose. “I think Vienna is the most deserving of winning The Bachelor. She is the realest girl in the house and isn’t there to make friends, she is there for Jake,” said freshman Kara Yeager.

In a recent episode, Jake embarked in hometown visits, making a stop at our very own Sanford, Florida. After taking a boat ride down St. John’s river, Jake was introduced to Vienna’s family which includes University of South Florida sophomore, Kayla Heflin. Through her Facebook account, step-sister Heflin and other family members have expressed their concerns about the way Vienna is being portrayed. “I’m so fed up with people that are talking about my sister. If you don’t know her and the real person she is, then seriously stop. If you hear people talking badly about her, defend her please,” Heflin posted on Facebook. Due to contract, Heflin cannot speak directly to the press, but it is noticeable that the negative input from viewers has taken its toll on Vienna’s loved ones. With the scrutiny of the public eye not only focused on Vienna and her family, but on her hometown, Sanford is receiving an unprecedented amount of attention.

“I think it’s great that someone from Sanford is competing on The Bachelor, it makes me feel as if any of us- no matter where we’re from- can find love,” said sophomore Nicole Mueller.

Though the ultimate fate of The Bachelor has not yet been announced, this season has surely given Sanford something to smile about.