Meet Marlee Arn, the 2017 First Maid for the Florida Strawberry Festival Queen's Court.
What’s it like serving on the court with your fellow Plant City High School Raiders?
I just think it’s really cool to have a court that have all been able to go to the same school. But really, I think it’s an honor. I’ve been friends with these girls for as long as I can remember. It just gives us the opportunity to grow with each other.
What was your reaction when you found out you made the court?
I was completely speechless. I just thought court would be so great and then I was like, ‘Oh my goodness, First Maid!’ I was completely at a loss for words. I was thinking, ‘This is everything I’ve ever dreamed of.’ Especially growing up in Plant City, because you look forward to that.
What are you most looking forward to about the 2017 Florida Strawberry
Festival?
I’m really looking forward to seeing how our palace turns out. I think it’ll be really cool for us to get ready there and then go out as a group. I’m really looking forward to seeing the community. I know we’re all really excited to meet different people. We’ll be feeding off each other’s energy the whole time.
What was your family’s reaction when they found out you were First Maid?
Last year I didn’t get Top 10. But then this year, I was watching my dad the whole time they were calling just Top 10. When they said ‘Contestant Number 19,’ my dad has this big sigh of relief. When I got First Maid, I could just see my parents crying in the audience.
What is your favorite thing about Plant City?
I would say just the community in general. We have such a family atmosphere, and it’s really cool because everywhere you go in town, you see somebody you’re friends with or that you grew up with. To me, that means so much. I wouldn’t have wanted to grow up anywhere else.
