Although she’s not originally from Plant City, it didn’t take long for Di Lott to fall in love with the place.
After 14 years of volunteering in the Winter Strawberry Capital of the World, Lott couldn’t be happier with the experiences.
“I love it,” she says. “Love the hometown feel, and everyone’s so nice. You see people you know everywhere. Great place to live, and a great place to raise a family. That’s why I want to get involved.”
She’s ready for something new, though, and is about to dip into two of the city’s most storied traditions for the first time.
THE NEWCOMER
Born in Philadelphia, Lott grew up in Tampa and graduated from Tampa Bay Tech at age 17. She began working full-time right out of high school and, after moving on from aspirations of becoming a nurse, got a degree in interior design from St. Petersburg Junior College.
She met her husband, Mayor Rick Lott, while living in Tampa and working at an interior-design firm. In 2000, the family of three decided to move to Plant City. It was then that they had Rex, their youngest son.
Almost as soon as she got into town, Lott began helping with the Rainbow Ball, raising money for the Child Abuse Council.
“It was a great thing to get involved in,” she says. “Plant City raised a lot of money for the Child Abuse Council through the Rainbow Ball, and the town was always very supportive of it.”
Lott also volunteered at Plant City’s First Baptist Church, teaching Sunday school. But, as her children grew older and more involved in school and sports, volunteering had to take a back seat. It did, however, open some new doors.
THE UP-AND-COMER
Last year brought Lott and her daughter, Ericka, into unfamiliar territory: the Florida Strawberry Festival Queen’s Pageant. Or, one could say, the pageant scene, in general.
“She wasn’t a pageant girl, and I didn’t know anything about pageants, so that was a whole new world to us,” Lott says. “You hear things about pageants — rumors, you know, all different things.”
Although Ericka didn’t win the ultimate title, she was named First Maid — a tremendous honor, especially for a first-timer.
“I saw a lot of benefit from that,” Lott says. “It totally rounded her out and gave her some experience that she didn’t have, which carries you forward through life.”
Ericka is away at college now, and she might not be entering another pageant anytime soon. But, her mother was so pleased with the experience that she decided to help out in any way that she could. Next year, when a new queen and court is elected, Lott will have that opportunity.
“Donna Keel and I are taking over what Sandee Sytsma’s been doing the past 12 or 13 years with the girls,” Lott says. “We start with the next court. Donna’s really the go-to person, but she keeps calling me her co-chair. So, we’ll go with that.”
Chaperoning the girls will be a big departure from Lott’s previous volunteering job at the Florida Strawberry Festival: helping out in the bus lot.
That’s all in the future. Now, she’s helping with something more immediate.
KEEPING THE SPIRIT ALIVE
Lott is actively involved with local PTA groups, currently serving on the boards for both Tomlin Middle School and Plant City High School. She also is president at Tomlin and is currently vice president of Plant City’s Ways to Earn fundraising committee.
At the high school, she’s a part of the new movement to bring athletic support back to its glory days. Members of the PTA recently created the school’s Orange Crush club, dedicated to supporting the Raiders in all of their ventures — not just football.
“We want to revive the good-old spirit of Plant City High School,” Lott says. “I hear a lot of good things from Rick, because he grew up here, and he tells such great stories about Plant City High School.”
That involves spreading school spirit throughout the community, even beyond the student body. The club has been successful so far, according to Lott, but getting people to attend games without football is no easy task. Still, if it’s been done before, then Lott and the rest of the Orange Crush believe it can happen again.
THE ROAD TO SUCCESS
What was your first job?
Babysitting. Also, I worked in a concession shop at the Floriland Mall. I made $1 an hour babysitting, and $2 an hour in concessions.
When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A pediatric nurse. I wanted to be a nurse until my high school project, when I had to interview a nurse. Once I found out about having to change bedpans, and stuff like that, I changed my mind.
What’s the best advice you have for being successful?
Three quotes: “If you don’t stand for something, you’ll fall for everything;” “Everybody is a somebody;” and “Nothing is wrong with a mistake. Just take ownership and learn from it.”
Who is your role model?
My mother, and my husband.
What’s the hardest life lesson you’ve learned?
Never think that you can do it all by yourself.
ON THE LIGHTER SIDE
If you could have a superpower, what would it be?
To fly. I would travel the world, go everywhere.
What’s the No. 1 most played song on your iPod?
“Chillin’ It,” by Cole Swindell. But, my favorite artists are Cher and Dolly Parton.
If you were reincarnated as an animal, what animal would it be?
An eagle or a dolphin.
What’s your least favorite food?
Oysters. They’re too slimy. Eating them, it doesn’t make sense to me.
Where would you go in a time machine?
I would go 40 years into the future. First of all, to see if I’m still living and if I’m healthy (wondering if all the things I’m doing now to stay healthy actually worked). Second, to see if my kids all married well and are happy. Third, to see if we have any grandchildren. And lastly, to see if the world as we know it is still in existence or is there destruction like so many of our movies portray. Seems like you constantly see movies these days showing a future that is not very appealing. I guess the bottom line to all that is to give myself a little piece of mind today, and not have to wonder so much what the future holds.