Plant City crowned its newest Florida Strawberry Festival Queen and Court at the 2023 Florida Strawberry Festival Queen Scholarship Program on Jan. 21 at the Florida Strawberry Festival’s Charlie Grimes Family Agricultural Center. Presented by Plant City Lions Club, 24 contestants displayed poise, grace and determination as they vied for the title of Queen in casual wear, public speaking and evening gown competitions.
Kennedie Clinton, a junior at Durant High School, was crowned the 2023 Florida Strawberry Festival Queen. She is joined by First Maid Jaida Paige Davis and court members Addison Reid Raburn, Fe Jacquelyn Ramirez and Kaleigh Salmon.
Clinton will receive a $1,200 scholarship from the Plant City Lions Club and $1,400 scholarship from the Florida Strawberry Festival. Davis will receive a $1,000 scholarship from the Plant City Lions Club and $1,200 scholarship from the Florida Strawberry Festival. Each court member will receive an $800 scholarship from the Plant City Lions Club and $1,000 scholarship from the Florida Strawberry Festival.
In addition to Court Members, the top 10 finalists included: Morgan Kayliana Brake, Bailey Ann Brock, Gracie Ashlyn Garner, Emmylou Elizabeth Varnum and Grace Elizabeth Pagliaro. Brake earned the title Miss Congeniality and received a $400 scholarship from the Plant City Lions Club.
After the top 10 finalists were announced, those contestants were sent to a sound-proof room where they awaited their turn on stage to answer an impromptu question: The Strawberry Queen represents the Florida Strawberry Festival and Plant City throughout the year. Why would you make a good representative? A panel of independent judges scored each contestant based on score answer (25%), overall look (40%) and stage presence (35%).
Plant City Lions Club Pageant Committee Chairman Gail Lyons was impressed by all the contestants this year. “Every one of them was engaged this year and wanted that crown and it showed in everything they did,” said Lyons. She expressed appreciation for the panel of independent judges, selected for their pageant expertise and lack of ties to the community. Even though every girl doesn’t leave with a crown, Lyons hopes they leave with something infinitely more important. “I hope each one of the contestants walks away with some empowerment and skills they acquired because they participated in the pageant,” she said. “Even though only one of them has a crown on her head, they’re all queens as far we we’re concerned.”
Florida Strawberry Festival Chairman Paul Davis said the new Queen and her Court, composed of four high school juniors and one senior, is one of the youngest he recalls but he’s confident they will fulfill their duties with ease. “They love our community and I think they’ll be able to represent us and the Festival well this year,” he said.