Q. What is it about Plant City that you cherish?
A. You really see how people are so open and friendly and kind in the community, even for being kind of a small community compared to other places in Florida.
Q. When you saw past
contestants make it to the Top 5, did you think that could be you?
A. I always knew I wanted to do big things with my life and make a difference to people and make an impact. Honestly, if you asked me a couple of months ago if I saw myself up there, I would probably say no. But I’m so blessed for the opportunity.
Q. What are great hang-out spots in Plant City?
A. Parksdale is amazing. They have all different flavored shakes. They have the best strawberry shakes and cute little places you can sit and talk with your family and friends. Also, downtown. I moved down there two years ago and that’s where I found my first job. There’s so many cute sandwich shops.
Q. What was your favorite
segment from the queen pageant?
A. I would say my favorite part of it was answering the question on stage after making Top 10, which was really nerve-racking at first. I was about to do my last turn off the stage and I was literally in tears, like I’m actually up here right now doing this. Something that I never saw myself doing. I was really proud of myself in that moment.
Q. What were you thinking when your name was called out in the Top 5?
A. For Top 10 and Top 5, my number was one of the first ones called so I didn’t even have time to process it or stress in a sense. It was like a relief at the same time, but it was also like ‘Whoa, did I hear that right?’ Just walking up there and hearing my family and friends cheer me on, it was a total rush of adrenaline.
Q. How did the support system from your loved ones motivate you?
A. It wasn’t just my family there to watch me, there was family friends, and my close girlfriend from school. For a four-hour long event, that’s amazing that they want to take time out of their day to watch me.
Q. If you could incorporate
anything into Plant City, what would it be?
A. Not even specifically a place added on to downtown Plant City, but just like a feeling. They were having an opportunity for people to come and paint murals. Me and my mom were like ‘Lets do a project and let’s go paint a big one on one of the walls in downtown.’ So I would love to do that with her at some point this year.