Twenty young women will compete for the title of 2014 Florida Strawberry Festival queen at 6 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 25, at the Florida Strawberry Festival’s Grimes Family Agricultural Center, 2301 W. Oak Ave., Plant City.
Tickets, which go on sale Jan. 17, are $15 each and will be available at Hardee’s Fashions, 1501 N. Wheeler St.; Sunshine State Federal Savings and Loan, 102 W. Baker St.; and Regions Bank, 2302 Thonotosassa Road. Pending availability, tickets also will be sold at the door.
Reigning queen Kelsey Fry will crown the winner of this year’s pageant, which is organized by the Plant City Lions Club.
Photos of this year’s contestants are courtesy of Stephanie Humphrey, Stephanie Humphrey Photography.
Kathleen Adkins
PARENTS: George and Marleen Adkins
SCHOOL: Senior at Plant City High School; dual-enrolled at Hillsborough Community College
ACTIVITIES: Member of Civinettes, National Honor Society, Senior Executive Council and the track team
FUTURE: Plans to attend HCC and pursue a degree as a diagnostic technician
Macaley Barrow
PARENTS: Stacy and Connie Barrow
SCHOOL: Senior at Durant High School
ACTIVITIES: Member of the Student Government Association, National Honor Society, LEO Club, varsity cheerleader and the 2014 Cover Girl for Durant
FUTURE: Plans to attend USF, major in biology and pursue a degree in dentistry
Ashley Bishop
PARENTS: Mark and Alicia Bishop
SCHOOL: Senior at Plant City High School; dual-enrolled at HCC
ACTIVITIES: National Honor Society, Senior Executive Council, president of Skills USA for Cosmetology
FUTURE: Plans to attend Florida Gulf Coast University and double major in psychology and legal studies
Morgan Boehning
PARENTS: Geoffrey and Angel Boehning
SCHOOL: Senior at Strawberry Crest High School
ACTIVITIES: FFA, Veterinary Assistant Program, member of the Strawberry Crest Goat Team and placed first in showmanship at the 2013 Hillsborough County Fair
FUTURE: Plans to attend UF and enroll in the veterinary science program
Kristen Bozek
PARENTS: Melissa Bozek
SCHOOL: Graduate of Strawberry Crest High School
ACTIVITIES: Member of the National Honor Society, Dean’s List, National FFA organization
FUTURE: Attends Hillsborough Community College and plans enroll at a major university to become a pediatric dentist
Caroline Birthisel
PARENTS: Robert “Chip” and Mary “Mimi” Birthisel
SCHOOL: Senior at Newsome High School
ACTIVITIES: Editor-in-chief of the yearbook staff for two consecutive years, senior class council and varsity golf team
FUTURE: Plans to attend a the University of Tampa and pursue a degree in the medical field
Kallee Cook
PARENTS: Kent and Cindy Cook
SCHOOL: Graduate of Durant High School; sophomore at Hillsborough Community College
ACTIVITIES: FFA, Florida and American Angus Association and a volunteer for American Cancer Society
FUTURE: Plans to attend Florida Southern College to pursue education
Lindsey English
PARENTS: Chrystal English
SCHOOL: Senior at Plant City High School; dual-enrolled at HCC
ACTIVITIES: President of Plant City Senior FFA Chapter, ambassador of the Florida Strawberry Growers Association, Relay for Life, works at Johnson’s BBQ
FUTURE: Plans to attend a four-year university to study law
Amber Ham
PARENTS: Audie and Deena Ham
SCHOOL: Senior at Plant City High School; dual-enrolled at Hillsborough Community College
ACTIVITIES: Historian for Skills USA for Cosmetology and a member of the NHS
FUTURE: Working to earn cosmetologist license while continuing work on a business degree
Caitlyn Kent
PARENTS: Jay and Judith Kent
SCHOOL: Senior at Florida Virtual School; dual-enrolled at HCC
ACTIVITIES: Member of Future Business Leaders of America and the National Honor Society
FUTURE: Plans to attend UCF, majoring in marketing and minoring in fashion design
Morgan Lewis
PARENTS: John and Barbara Guerriero
SCHOOL: Senior at Plant City High School
ACTIVITIES: Captain of the debate team, co-president of the Drama Club, Civinettes, National Honor Society
FUTURE: Plans to attend the University of West Florida to study environmental science and policy and pursue a career in environmental law
Liliana Martinez
PARENTS: Jesus and Rosalinda Martinez
SCHOOL: Graduate of Plant City High School; freshman at Hillsborough Community College
ACTIVITIES: Works at Courtney Paat’s State Farm Agency and interns at Barbizon Modeling Schools
FUTURE: Plans to transfer to the USF and earn a degree in elementary education
Kellen Morris
PARENTS: Melinda and Robert Morris III |
SCHOOL: Junior at Plant City High School; dual-enrolled at HCC
ACTIVITIES: Member of the Civinettes, yearbook staff and the Plant City High School varsity flag football team
FUTURE: Plans to attend UF, pursuing a law degree, specializing in juvenile adjudication
Heather Ross
PARENTS: James and Lisa Ross
SCHOOL: Senior at Durant High School
ACTIVITIES: Member of the National Honor Society, Senior Council, Students All Connected Community Service Club, Marine Science Club and FFA
FUTURE: Plans to attend USF, majoring in marine biology
Shelby St. Amant
PARENTS: Whitney and Robert St. Amant Jr.
SCHOOL: Honors graduate of Newsome High School; freshman at HCC
ACTIVITIES: Volunteer at Shriner’s Children’s Hospital in the public relations department
FUTURE: Plans to transfer to Florida State University to obtain a joint degree in sports management and law
Megan Shulmister
PARENTS: David and Janeel Shulmister
SCHOOL: Junior at Plant City High School
ACTIVITIES: Junior class president, varsity cheerleader, member of “Best Buddies” service club, Civinettes
FUTURE: Plans to attend UF and major in marketing and hopes to find a career that allows her to travel
Kierstan Thomas
PARENTS: Garth Thomas and Angela Creech
SCHOOL: Junior at Plant City High School; dual-enrolled at HCC
ACTIVITIES: Member of the National Honor Society and Health Occupation Students of America, Plant City Dolphin volunteer
FUTURE: Plans to obtain a master’s degree in nursing at USF
Marissa Thompson
PARENTS: Jack and Anissa Thompson
SCHOOL: Senior at Durant High School
ACTIVITIES: Durant High’s 2013 Homecoming Queen and Calendar Girl, member of the track team and the Criminal Justice Mock Trial Club
FUTURE: Plans to attend Florida State University and then pursue a law degree
Jessi Rae Varnum
PARENTS: Scott and Katie Varnum
SCHOOL: Senior at Durant High School
ACTIVITIES: Outstanding Teen 2013, National Honor Society, vice president of Student Government, captain of the varsity cheerleading squad
FUTURE: Plans to attend Florida Southern College and major in sports medicine
Cassidy Wright
PARENTS: James and Deana Wright
SCHOOL: Senior at Plant City High School; dual-enrolled at HCC
ACTIVITIES: Member of the Senior Executive Council, National Honor Society and Civinettes, cheerleader, track, flag football
FUTURE: Plans to attend a four-year university and major in elementary education