Photo courtesy of Jose Lozoya
Cadence Cape
What inspired you to compete in the Florida Strawberry Festival Queens pageant?
The Queen’s Court has always been a source of inspiration and a role model in my life. Becoming a member of the court has been a goal of mine for as long as I can remember, and I am so excited to be here with these incredible girls. Being on the court also means representing Plant City—you are the face of the festival, and many young girls look up to you as a role model. That responsibility inspired me to compete. I want girls to see that we can be ourselves, have fun, and be kind without changing who we are. This is my second year competing, and that motivation has only grown stronger.
How did you prepare for the pageant-mentally, physically, emotionally?
Preparing for the pageant involved many hours of practicing my walk, mock interviews, and rehearsing my commercial, but my coach encouraged me to focus on who I am as a person before thinking about competing again. She helped me identify what means the most to me in life and why it’s important. By prioritizing my mental health and working on myself, I’ve become more positive and genuinely happier. My faith has played a huge role in that process, giving me the assurance that even when life isn’t going the way I hope, I can lean on God and trust that everything will work out.
What part of the pageant experience challenged you the most?
The biggest challenge for me was the on-stage 30-second commercial. Last year, I forgot my commercial in front of everyone, and public speaking has always been a fear of mine. Being nervous on top of that made it especially difficult this year. To prepare, I rehearsed countless times—literally in my car, in the bathroom, anywhere I could—saying my commercial over and over. Overcoming that fear was a major challenge, but I’m incredibly grateful for all the hard work I put into it.
What is your favorite Florida Strawberry Festival memory-past or present?
One of my favorite Florida Strawberry Festival memories is attending the Reba concert last year with my best friend. We wore matching outfits, grabbed some food beforehand and took fun pictures together. The concert was sold out, so it felt like all of Plant City was there, and it was amazing to see everyone enjoying the night together.
What message do you want to share with young girls who look up to you?
My advice to young girls would be not to change who they are. Deep down, you know your true self, and trying to be someone else will never bring happiness or confidence. By embracing and loving yourself as you are, you develop a unique confidence and positivity. When you shine as your authentic self, others are inspired and look up to you for it.
Do you have a good luck charm or tradition you brought with you?
Something that really helped me feel at peace and at home was a tradition my roommate and I created. We took pictures of our friends, family and other special moments that mean the most to us and strung them across our room. Seeing those reminders helped me stay calm, knowing that everything would be okay. No matter the outcome, I have people who love and support me. Whenever I started to feel anxious or worried that the pageant wouldn’t go as planned, I could look at those pictures and remember that my friends and family were surrounding me in spirit.
What is your favorite Florida Strawberry Festival food?
My favorite Florida Strawberry Festival food is definitely Peachey’s Amish donuts—they practically melt in your mouth and are so delicious. Last year, I ate five and a half in one day before my dad took the rest and wouldn’t let me have any more. Since I was at the festival all day, though, it kind of balanced out. That wasn’t the only treat I enjoyed—I also had Johnson fries.
If you could describe this moment in a few words, what would they be?
If I could describe this moment in a few words, it would be “trust the process.” God has a plan for your life, even when it feels like it’s taking a long time. In the end, trusting His plan is always better than relying on our own, and His timing is always perfect.
