She’s Got Style, She’s Got Grace: Meet the 2017 Florida Strawberry Festival Queen contestants

Twenty-two girls will compete Saturday, Jan. 21, to be the next reigning royals as the 2017 Florida Strawberry Festival Queen and Court. Five girls will be chosen to serve as the 2017 Queen, First Maid and court members. 

The scholarship pageant is sponsored annually by the Plant City Lions Club. The 2017 Florida Strawberry Festival will run from Thursday, March 2, through Sunday, March 12. 

Photos by Stephanie Humphrey. 

The Contestants 

Marlee Arn 

Senior, Plant City High School; dual enrolled at Hillsborough Community College 

Parents: Ed and Michelle Arn 

Future plans: To attend Samford University to pursue interior architecture 

Hanna Barrett 

Junior, Strawberry Crest High School 

Parents: David Barrett and Tanya Limas 

Future plans: To attend Clemson University to major in education with a minor in mathematics 

Caroline Brummer 

Junior, Plant City High School 

Parents: Jeff and Laura Brummer 

Future plans: To attend Florida State University and major in public relations 

Taylor Carlough 

Junior, Plant City High School 

Parents: Keith Carlough and Brandi and Oscar Barnes 

Future plans: To attend the University of Florida to pursue a degree in journalism 

Courtney Coton 

Senior, Plant City High School 

Parents: Danny and Danna Coton 

Future plans: To attend a major university to pursue journalism and later, fashion journalism 

Zharia Griffin 

Junior, Durant High School 

Parents: Charles and Debra Griffin 

Future plans: To attend Florida A&M University and major in pre-med 

Sabrina Hangen 

Junior, Plant City High School; dual enrolled at Hillsborough Community College 

Parents: Sheri Hangen 

Future plans: To attend Duke University to double major in international business and law with minors in criminology and psychology 

Ashley Hamel 

Senior, Strawberry Crest High School; International Baccalaureate program 

Parents: Shane and Tiffany Hamel 

Future plans: To attend Nova Southeastern University on a merit scholarship, and pursue pharmacy after earning a bachelor’s degree in biomedical sciences 

Allison Lane 

Junior, Plant City High School 

Parents:  Emmett and Stephenie Lane 

Future plans: To graduate from PCHS with a cosmetology license and purse a degree in psychology 

Drew Knotts 

Senior, Plant City High School; dual enrolled at Hillsborough Community College 

Parents: Andy and Jeanne Knotts 

Future plans: To attend Georgia Southern University to play soccer and major in journalism 

Skylar Mitchell 

Senior, Durant High School 

Parents: Melissa and David Mitchell 

Future plans: To attend the University of Tampa and major in pre-law 

Toi Morrison 

Freshman, Hillsborough Community College 

Parents: Jeannie Morrison 

Future plans: To transfer to the University of South Florida and eventually become a neonatal nurse or midwife 

Ariel Navarrete 

Senior, Plant City High School 

Parents: Juan and Lucy Navarrete 

Future plans: To attend Southeastern University and pursue a degree in education 

Zoe Rasmussen 

Sophomore, Newsome High School 

Parents: Shawn and Renee Rasmussen 

Future plans: To attend the University of Florida to pursue a degree in the medical field 

Bentley Roberts 

Senior, homeschooled 

Parents: Robbie and Cindy Roberts 

Future plans: To attend Southeastern University to pursue communications and public relations with the hopes of working for a nonprofit organization

Meghan Sorg 

Junior, Strawberry Crest High School; International Baccalaureate program 

Parents: Candace and Dave Sorg 

Future plans: To attend the Culinary Institute of America in New York and major in baking and pastry arts 

Marybeth Stewart 

Senior, Strawberry Crest High School; dual enrolled at Hillsborough Community College 

Parents: Preston and Julie Stewart 

Future plans: To attend the University of Florida to major in dentistry with specialties in orthodontics and pediatrics 

Julia Strickland 

Freshman, Hillsborough Community College 

Parents: Donnie and Tina Strickland 

Future plans: To attend the University of Florida and major in veterinary medicine and minor in animal science 

Taylor Tew 

Junior, Durant High School; dual enrolled at Hillsborough Community College 

Parents: David and Traci Tew 

Future plans: To attend a Florida university and major in nursing with a minor in photography 

Megan Todd 

Senior, Plant City High School 

Parents: Bobby and Diane Todd 

Future plans: To attend the University of Florida and major in physical therapy 

Shelby Wilson 

Junior/Senior, Strawberry Crest High School; three-year graduate program 

Parents: Everett and Tammy Wilson 

Future plans: To attend the University of Tampa and pursue medical and pre-law degrees 

Tiffany Wilson 

Junior, Durant High School 

Parents: Mark Wilson and Crystal Delones-Wilson 

Future plans: To attend the University of Florida to study animal science and to attend the University of Miami in the summer to study psychiatry