Plant City crowned its newest Florida Strawberry Festival Queen and Court during the 2014 Florida Strawberry Festival Queen Scholarship Program Jan. 25, at the Florida Strawberry Festival’s Grimes Family Agricultural Center.
Jessi Rae Varnum, a senior at Durant High School, was crowned the 2014 Florida Strawberry Festival Queen. She is joined by First Maid Lindsey English and court members Macalay Barrow, Kallee Cook and Caitlyn Kent.
“It’s amazing,” Varnum said in her first interview as queen. “I’ve watched the Strawberry Queen since I was 8 years old. It is a dream come true — it really is. I can’t believe it. I’m just so ecstatic and thrilled and honored for this opportunity. It’s so amazing.”
Click here for our photo gallery of the 2014 Florida Strawberry Festival Queen and Court.
Click here for our photo gallery of the Top 10.
Click here for our photo gallery of the formal wear competition.
Click here for our photo gallery of the casual wear competition.
Click here for our photo gallery of the sponsor commercials.
Click here for photos of the 2013 Florida Strawberry Festival Queen and Court.
ABOUT THE QUEEN AND HER COURT
Jessi Rae Varnum is the daughter of Scott and Katie Varnum. At Durant, she was voted Outstanding Teen 2013 and is a member of National Honor Society, vice president of Student Government, producer of D News morning show, captain of the varsity cheerleading squad, managing editor of yearbook, member of LEO Club and student representative of Parent Teacher Student Association. She plans to attend Florida Southern College and major in sports medicine with an emphasis on physical therapy.
Lindsey English is the daughter of Chrystal English. She is a senior at Plant City High School and dual-enrolled at Hillsborough Community College. She is president of Plant City Senior FFA Chapter, raises steers annually for the Florida Strawberry Festival, an ambassador of the Florida Strawberry Growers Association and works at Johnson’s BBQ. She plans to attend a four-year university to study law
Macaley Barrow is the daughter of Stacy and Connie Barrow. She is a senior at Durant High School and a member of the Student Government Association, National Honor Society, LEO Club, varsity cheerleader and the 2014 Cover Girl for Durant High School Calendar. She plans to attend the University of South Florida, major in biology and pursue a degree in dentistry.
Kallee Cook is the daughter of Kent and Cindy Cook. She is a sophomore at Hillsborough Community College. She is an FFA alum, a me member of the Florida and American Angus Association and a volunteer for the American Cancer Society. She plans to attend Florida Southern College to obtain a bachelor’s degree in education.
Caitlyn Kent is the daughter of Jay and Judith Kent. She is a senior at Florida Virtual School and dual-enrolled at Hillsborough Community College. She is a member of Future Business Leaders of America and the National Honor Society. She plans to attend the University of Central Florida, majoring in marketing and minoring in fashion design.