Everywhere the Florida Strawberry Festival Queen and Court goes, Sandee Sytsma is in tow, making sure everything goes off without a hitch. It’s been 13 years of glamorous wardrobe shopping and special appearances for Sytsma, who has been serving as the court’s chaperone. But in preparation for her upcoming role as the festival’s president, she is stepping down from her reign and passing the crown off to two successors, Donna Keel and Di Lott.
“It has to end sometime,” Sytsma said. “I’m looking at it a lot like a grandmother, in that I will be able to enjoy all the good times … but I won’t have to do the wardrobe shopping and scheduling and lining everything up, so I just get to play,” Sytsma said.
When Sytsma first took on the position, she did not know it would feel different from any leadership position. But, the relationships she has built with her 65 Strawberry Queens and Courts have changed her life in meaningful ways.
“We form great bonds,” Sytsma said. “And we are good friends. After their reign is over, then the relationship changes. … It’s no longer like mother and daughter — it’s a friendship.”
Sytsma, current secretary of the Strawberry Festival, has been planning the transition for the past two years and has found the best duo to follow in her footsteps.
The Chosen Ones
Sytsma, who does not have children of her own, knew that coordinating the court would be even more demanding for women who were busy mothers. So, she decided to choose two women as chair and co-chair.
Donna Keel was Sytsma’s top choice for chair, based on her 20 years as Junior Royalty Chairman. Keel had just given up this position last year, which made her available to take on an even bigger role.
“(Keel) is a rule-follower also, but a lot of fun, and that’s kind of the ticket,” Sytsma said.
Keel also brings firsthand experience to the table. She was a member of the Strawberry Court in 1984 and 1985. In 1985, she reigned with Strawberry Queen Kay Newsome Varnum, mother of 2014 queen, Jessi Rae Varnum.
As co-chair, Sytsma chose Di Lott, who also has a familiarity with the pageant and reign, but from a different perspective. Her daughter, Ericka Lott, was on the court in 2013.
“I’m glad I did have that experience, because I didn’t grow up doing pageants,” Di said. “Her being in the court is definitely good for me. … It gave me an insight into what was done.”
Keel and Lott have been longtime friends, not only as chaperones of the court and wives of city commissioners, but also through various other community events and organizations. Their oldest sons are good friends, as well.
“If I would have picked anybody (as co-chair), it would have been (Lott), so it was funny how Sandee had that same thinking,” Keel said.
Working Together
Sytsma has been gradually phasing Keel and Lott into their positions, to make sure they are well-prepared. They have shadowed her since last year’s festival.
“We’ve met for a year now,” Sytsma said. “They came over many times to my house, and we’d go through all my records. We have way too much fun. We make up excuses just to get together.”
“The three of us are trouble,” Keel said. “We are together all the time. We have a great time, the three of us.”
Because of their deep respect for the program Sytsma has built, Keel and Lott do not expect to make any major changes in 2015 or beyond. But some updates will be necessary.
“You do have to address new things. You try to grow and get better,” Keel said. “Changing with the times is what we would have to do.”
For example, social media such as Facebook and Twitter did not exist when Sytsma became coordinator. But now, social media platforms are important for promoting the queen and court and keeping the community updated on their whereabouts. Keel and Lott also expect to keep the court members’ wardrobes current.
Though Keel and Lott seem ready to take on the task of coordinating the court, they have a strong support team that they can always fall back on when needed.
“Without (General Manager) Paul Davis, without the chaperones, without Miss Sandee, it would not work,” Keel said. “We all have to work together.”
What It’s All About
Just as Sytsma treated queens and court members as her own daughters, Keel and Lott expect to form similar relationships with the young women they will guide and mentor.
“I think that is what is the best side of this — the relationships that you build,” Keel said. “It’s not just about the pageant for me. What Di and I are hoping to help these girls do is become leaders. … I want them to learn to have a servant’s heart.”
Lott saw her daughter grow through serving on the court, and she hopes to help future queens and courts do the same.
“When I was asked to do it along with Donna, I was excited, because I know how much it impacted (Ericka’s) life and how it helped her be well-rounded and add some things to her personality that will benefit her forever,” Lott said.
After this year’s Strawberry Queen pageant, Keel and Lott will have to hit the ground running.
“We have to get busy real quick, because we have an event within a week,” Keel said.
The days immediately following the pageant will be filled with wardrobe shopping and orientation to the rules, which Sytsma put in place. Rules include: no drinking or smoking, maintaining at least a 3.0 GPA and never being a minute late to a meeting or event.
“They’re very easy-to-live-with rules, in my opinion,” Sytsma said.
At the festival, there will be 4 a.m. mornings and late nights, days filled with graceful greetings and sparkling smiles. And though Keel and Lott say they “don’t cry,” there might be tears as emotions run high and a new court figures out the ropes of its reign. But as the young women learn how to be ambassadors for Plant City, they will also be making lifelong friendships with one another and their leaders.
Perhaps, like Sytsma, who recently hosted a wedding and baby shower for former court members, Keel and Lott will become lifelong figures in the lives of the queens and court members.
“It’s time-consuming, it’s very rewarding, and I have received a whole lot more than I’ve ever given,” Sytsma said.
Behind the Scenes
Though the Strawberry Queen and Court are prominent figures in the community, here are some lesser-known facts about what goes on during their reign.
• The festival covers the court’s wardrobe, except for their shoes, which they are personally responsible for.
• During the festival, the queen and court get dressed and relax in a hidden location known as “The Palace.” Family members personalize each girl’s space with photos and decorations before it begins.
• The queen and court are the only Plant Citians who get to meet and take photos with each headliner at the festival.
— Catherine Sinclair