Donna Keel isn’t a native of Plant City, but she’s pretty close to one — her family moved to Plant City from Texas when she was a toddler.
Since then, Keel has become a familiar face and a friend to all in the community that she calls home. From June until March, Keel’s world is a blur of pageant dresses and meetings. The Strawberry Court coordinator has made a name for herself as a dedicated volunteer at the Florida Strawberry Festival and other organizations across Plant City.
“One of my favorite things about Plant City is the small-town atmosphere,” Keel says.
PLANTED IN PLANT CITY
After graduating from PCHS in 1985, Keel attended Florida Southern College, in Lakeland, where she earned her degree in early childhood education and elementary education. She taught for nine years at local schools. She spent seven years at Walden Lake Elementary and two years at Pinecrest Elementary before leaving to raise her two kids, Justin and Bryson.
Keel’s two children have also attended PCHS. Justin, 21, has graduated and is attending the University of Florida. Bryson has just started his junior year at PCHS.
As her kids have grown, so has Keel’s involvement in the Winter Strawberry Capital of the World. Her volunteer efforts, which keep her busy year round, are not lost on her sons. Keel encourages her children to have servants’ hearts. They’ve seen her words in action.
FASHION FOR A CAUSE
When Keel walks into a store, she’s not going shopping; she’s going on a mission.
After serving as the Florida Strawberry Festival’s Junior Royalty pageant chair for 19 years, Keel is now in her second year as the Strawberry Court coordinator. She was also a member of the Strawberry Court in 1984 and 1985.
“The Queen’s Court coordinator takes up a lot of time, but I love it,” Keel says.
As coordinator, Keel has no problem finding the perfect ensemble for any of the pageant girls. It’s just one of the many responsibilities that comes with the position.
She serves along with co-chair and longtime friend, Di Lott.
“We work very well together,” Keel says. “I depend on Di for a lot of things. She has a lot of good ideas.”
Though pageants keep Keel busy from June through March, Keel also volunteers at PCHS swim meets and purchases costumes for the vocal group Next Radical Generation. Her son, Bryson, was part of the original ensemble. Over the years, Keel grew to know the members of the group so well that she could purchase costumes they would like based off of their personalities.
“I really should have been a personal shopper,” Keel says, jokingly.
Although the original NRG group has retired, Keel still plans to help with the costuming for the newer ensembles.
“I like that kind of thing,” she says. “Nobody wears the same thing.”
As if she weren’t busy enough, Keel also serves as the co-chair for Plant City High School’s Calendar Girl. The pageant, which is held the first weekend of October, serves as the athletic booster club’s biggest fundraiser for athletic programs. Calendar Girl brought in a record-breaking $23,000 last year.
Keel is responsible for putting rehearsals together and organizing judges and venues. For all of her volunteer efforts, Keel says, she is only as good as her team.
“I have a great committee,” she says. “I love surrounding myself with good people.”
It’s also a way for her to serve the community — something she thinks everyone should do.
“You don’t have to overload yourself, but you need to help where you can,” she says. “I enjoy it. I just think it’s important for anyone to volunteer and give back. Most Plant City people do a lot of volunteering. That is a benefit of a small town.”
KICKING BACK WITH KEEL
Once Calendar Girl ends, Keel dives headfirst into Strawberry Court meetings during the first week of November. But when she is able to take a moment for herself, she jumps in the car and heads to Anna Maria Island with her girlfriends.
“I love being a part of the girly-girl thing,” Keel says.
She also enjoys spending time with her friends and family, especially over a Gators football game.
But out of all her community involvement and activities, she says, one job and leadership role stands out as her favorite: being a mom.
About Donna
Who is your hero?
There have been many women and men who have influenced my life, so it’s hard to pick just one. But I’m grateful for my parents who have always been very supportive of me.
Use three words to describe yourself.
Organized, helpful and dedicated.
Are you an early bird or a night owl?
I am an all-day person. I only need about three to four hours of sleep. I usually go to bed about 1:30 a.m. and get up at 6 a.m.
What is the weirdest food you’ve tried?
It was some type of raw sushi. It tasted like fishy kale.
What message would you put in a fortune cookie?
Always strive to be the best you.
Tips for success?
• Set clear goals.
• Don’t give up, no matter what the day brings.
• Be organized.
— Emily Topper