Kenley Connell’s childhood dream finally became a reality as the 2021 Florida Strawberry Festival Queen McKenna Jordan crowned her, passing on the mantle.
She was named the 2022 Queen for the 87th Florida Strawberry Festival.
Connell took part in one of Plant City’s most beloved pageants, on Saturday evening.
Madison Davis was named the first maid.
Bailey Blanton, Tamia Williams, and Chloe Hopper were chosen as the court members.
“It’s amazing!” Connell said. “I’m on cloud nine!”
It followed the Junior Royalty pageant that was held just a week prior.
In total, 24 young ladies took the spotlight and became the spectacle among the masses that filled the Florida Strawberry Festival fairgrounds. The dense crowd was not only a testament of love and support that Plant City has to offer, but also a sign that the town is returning to a sense of normalcy after two years of dealing with COVID-19.
The show was presented by the Plant City Lions Club and the Florida Strawberry Festival Association.
For those who were not present at the pageant, they had the option of streaming it live through the Lions Club Facebook page.
“Since I was a little girl, I’ve been to the pageants,” Connell explained. “I saw the pictures on the walls around me. I remember these girls getting crowned, and I remember their faces, in that moment. To be on stage that night was amazing.”
However, she was already walking down the runway in fashion years before in the Junior Royalty pageant.
The daughter of Joel and Erika Connell, she is a Plant City native and grew up around agriculture. Her father is a farmer and she became well acquainted with livestock and their needs.
At age 8, her father placed her in a pig drawing, in which she was the 18th number drawn. However, Jon Poppell of Poppell Insurance Inc. wanted to make sure she didn’t leave empty handed and purchased a small pig for her. While she didn’t consider the animal to be a pet, but livestock instead, she said she still formed a bond.
And at a young age she was already learning the importance of maintaining the well-being of her pig.
“This is a responsibility,” Connell said. “This is kind of like my job, feeding this animal twice a day and working with him. This project is going to lead me to bigger things in my life.”
She is currently in her junior year at Plant City High School and is a member of the Interact Club and the National Honor Society. Connell also participates on the school tennis and track teams. She is also a member of FFA.
Students are exposed to nature and the lifestyle that comes along with being a farmer. FFA also opens the door to possible agricultural jobs, as well as many other occupations.
“When Mr. Jon Poppell bought me my very first pig,” Connell said, “I didn’t understand that this is going to send me to college one day.”
While she is still passionate about agriculture, she is contemplating another career path. She plans to attend a Florida university, obtaining a doctorate degree in psychology, with a minor in criminology.
The queen pageant had Connell and the 23 other ladies active on the runway, partaking in different segments of the show. They consisted of public speaking, casual wear and evening gown competitions and announcing Miss Congeniality.
Like the other girls who made it as the 10 semi-finalists, she had to answer one question: “The Strawberry Queen should have a servant’s heart. How would you demonstrate in serving the community, or while helping others?”
“I’m a firm believer that people always remember how you make them feel,” Connell responded.
She recounted how the gift from Poppell and her opportunity to continue her education at the collegiate level has humbled her.
Connell also stated that her love for the youth and agriculture motivates her to give back to Plant City.
Winning the Queen’s crown has begun her year on a high note.
And as the Florida Strawberry Festival draws closer, she, her first maid, and the three court members are gearing up for the attention they will receive.
“I’m most looking forward to spending 11 days with the beautiful ladies standing next to me,” Connell said.
Q & A
Q. What is it about Plant City that you cherish?
A. Definitely the compassion this community shows. This festival is truly a celebration of the harvest of the berry. Coming from a farmer’s daughter, I see that side. I see the side of the hard work of producing the strawberries.When you saw past Queen winners, did you think that could be you someday?
Q. I definitely knew when I was a little girl that that’s what I wanted to do. Those were the women
A. I looked up to when I was little. Those were the women that really made an impact in my life.
Q. What are great hang-out spots in Plant City?
A. Definitely Fred’s Market because it’s a buffet, so you get to eat everything. Krazy Kup because they have really good coffee. Anywhere downtown. Our downtown is really, really pretty.
Q. What was your favorite segment from the Queen pageant?
A. I loved the interview with the judges. I just felt so at home. They were so kind and they were very conversational. Something about that felt right.
Q. What were you thinking when your named was called as the queen?
A. When I walked out for Top 10, I heard no one else’s answer, so I had no idea whether I did good or bad. When I heard my name get called, I was like ‘Oh my God, they really just called Number 22.’ My family’s my backbone, they’re my biggest supporters, so I got to see their reaction.
Q. How did the support system from loved ones motivate you?
A. I’m most definitely a daddy’s girl. Me and my dad are best friends. I could see my dad out the corner of my eye, and I saw him pacing back and forth when the Top 5 was called. When I got called for queen, I lifted my head, and I could see that he threw his cowboy hat. That support made me do my best. But definitely those moments when I could see my family and their smiles.
Q. If you could incorporate anything into Plant City, what would it be?
A. We have so much to do, but we don’t have little things like a bowling alley or arcade. Something small for kids.