You have a ton of extracurriculars and interests that you’re involved in. What would you say drives you the most?
I think I’m most driven by wanting options for college. I’ve always been taught to just really try my hardest in everything so that once I get to where I want to be, I can have the option to choose. I really want to attend the University of Florida. They accept the best of the best, so I want to be able to be one of those candidates.
What are you most looking forward to about the Florida Strawberry Festival?
Probably seeing it from a different perspective. I’ve grown up around the festival. I’m a fourth-generation Plant City citizen, and my grandfather’s one of the directors for the Florida Strawberry Festival. So I’ve been all around it my entire life. Just seeing it from one of the court member’s point of view — I’ve been looking forward to that probably my whole life as well.
What is your key to success?
My key to success is probably my faith in Jesus. I would not be where I am right now without Him … I’m just very thankful for having that strong foundation to stand on.
What do you hope to accomplish this year as a court member?
I hope that I can touch some people’s lives this year. I want them to see my servant’s heart, and I want to give back to the community and have other people want to do that as well if they see my example now that I am kind of on a platform for the town. I also really look forward to becoming best friends with the four girls. They’re all so sweet.
Contact Emily Topper at etopper@plantcityobserver.com.