When Strawberry Court first maid Deanna Rodriguez was asked to participate in Dancing with the Locals, she knew there was only one possible partner: her father, Tony Rodriguez. They will be dancing in the event Friday, Nov. 13.
Usually, the Strawberry Queen is the one on stage, but the 2015 queen, Samantha Sun, decided not to perform this year, thus, leaving the duty to Deanna Rodriguez.
Deanna Rodriguez is excited to continue the tradition.
“I watched my friend, Ericka Lott, dance with her dad when she did (Dancing with the Locals),” Deanna Rodriguez said. “If she could do it, I could too.”
The 17-year-old Plant City High senior was announced first maid in February. Her mother, Stacey Rodriguez, also served on the Strawberry Court.
“It’s a whirlwind,” Deanna Rodriguez said. “It really is a great opportunity to talk to people and meet new people and just be involved.”
The Plant City High School senior isn’t just a pageant girl. She enjoys playing competitive soccer. She hopes to attend the University of Florida in the fall for either engineering or business. Her father graduated with a bachelor’s in finance from UF, and her brother is currently attending.
Tony Rodriguez is more of a natural on the basketball court than in a dance studio. Regardless, he would do anything for his daughter.
“At the beginning, I never thought we would get this far and be here,” Tony Rodriguez said.
Because of his previous employment in the United States military, Tony Rodriguez has been around the country. Deanna Rodriguez was born in Fort Worth, Texas. She is the only girl in a group of four siblings.
“My brothers and me were all born in different places,” Deanna Rodriguez said.
Tony Rodriguez works for Verizon Wireless and has coached recreational basketball in Plant City for 14 years.
Between their busy lives, Deanna and Tony Rodriguez manage to squeeze in two practices a week at Just Dance, in Lakeland.
“We keep it in the studio because, with all we do, there is not enough space at home,” Tony Rodriguez said. “I pick her up and flip her around.”
What was your reaction when asked?
“I was really excited,” Deanna Rodriguez said.
“I was honored she picked me,” Tony Rodriguez said.
What is your favorite
song to dance to?
“I’ll be Your Man”
by the Zac Brown Band.
What are you most looking forward to?
“Actually getting out there and doing it in front of a crowd,” Deanna Rodriguez said.
“Doing this with my daughter,” Tony Rodriguez said.
SPONSOR TONY AND DEANNA RODRIGUEZ: Deanna.rod3@gmail.com