In just several short weeks, the Florida Strawberry Festival will have a new queen and court to reign over it. With one whirlwind month to prepare, current queen, Jessi Rae Varnum, will hand over the crown to one of 15 contestants in a tradition that Plant City looks forward to every year. Take a look at the lucky contestants who will vie for the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity Jan. 31 at the Grimes Family Agricultural Center. Photos by Stephanie Humphrey.
Payton Raye Astin
Parents: Sam and Buffy Astin
School: Senior at Durant High School
Extracurriculars: Student Government president, captain of the varsity cheerleading team, FFA, Leo Club, student representative for PTSA, Durant’s Miss Cougar Body Building Champion, Durant Calendar Girl Miss January and Homecoming Queen
Hobbies: Working out, working with organizations that help give back to the community and being a constant support to her peers and student body
Future plans: To attend Florida Southern College to earn a master’s degree in business, and then help take over Astin Farms
Emily Benoit
Parents: Michael and Jennifer Benoit
School: Senior at Newsome High School
Extracurriculars: President of Newsome FFA, vice president of Hillsborough FFA Federation, Florida Junior Cattlemen’s Association, National Gold FFA Meats Evaluation Team, Florida Junior Beef Ambassador
Hobbies: Raising and showing angus cattle at local fairs and the Florida Strawberry Festival, horseback riding, spending time with family and friends
Future plans: To attend the University of Florida to study veterinary medicine with a minor in meat science
Samantha Black
Parents: Chris and Sherri Black, and Maurice and Sherrie Campbell
School: Senior at Plant City High School; dual enrolled at Hillsborough Community College
Extracurriculars: FFA, Civinettes, captain of varsity competition cheer team, captain of varsity flag football, four-year member of FFA Veterinary Assistant Program, Student Athlete Club, National Honor Society, 2015 Strawberry Growers Association Scholarship Recipient, MVP Varsity Flag Football 2014, Attends St. Peter’s Episcopal Church
Hobbies: The rescue and rehabilitation of homeless animals, currently working toward Therapy Dog Handler certification, reading and traveling
Future plans: To pursue a degree in veterinary science
Morgan Boykin
Parents: Marty and Jennifer Boykin
School: Honor graduate at Strawberry Crest High School; sophomore at Hillsborough Community College and the University of South Florida
Extracurriculars: Strawberry Crest FFA Alumni, Florida Junior Cattlemen’s Association, Patriots Twirling Corp, Florida Strawberry Growers Association ambassador, Feature Twirler at the University of South Florida
Hobbies: Competitive baton twirling, baking, boating, raising livestock and spending time with family and friends
Future plans: To pursue a degree in agriculture communications
Olivia Brosky
Parents: Lieutenant Colonel and Mrs. Carl Brosky
School: Junior at Plant City High School; dual enrolled at Hillsborough Community College
Extracurriculars: National Honor Society, Civinettes, FFA, Drama Club and Plant City’s First Baptist Church Youth Group
Hobbies: Writing, theater, playing guitar, watching baseball and spending time with friends
Future plans: To attend Florida Southern College, majoring in both English and communication
Zoee Renae Causey
Parents: Heather and Raymond Causey
School: Sophomore at Plant City High School
Extracurriculars: Flag captain of color guard, American Sign Language Club, concert band, attends First United Methodist Church of Plant City, finalist in Plant City High School Relay for Life Princess Contest 2014
Hobbies: Dancing, shopping and spending time with family and friends
Future plans: To attend a four-year university, pursuing pharmaceutical studies
Carly Knox
Parents: Ben and Kerri Knox
School: Senior at Lakeland Christian School
Extracurriculars: Captain of the varsity soccer and cheerleading teams, senior leader of Fellowship of Christian Athletes, editor of yearbook, National Honor Society, Math Honor Society, Florida Academic Scholar (top level of Bright Futures), 250 community service hours, Christian Leadership Award (LCS cheer), Plant City Optimist Club’s Youth Appreciation Award
Hobbies: Wakeboarding, photography and film, First Baptist Church youth group, coaching elementary soccer and family time
Future plans: To attend the University of Florida and major in public relations
Abigail Lauren Miller
Parents: Gary and Cherity Miller
School: Junior at Plant City High School
Extracurricular: Member of Civinettes, National Honor Society, Youth Alive council member, Cross Country Regional Qualifier, 2015 Plant City High School Calendar Girls Miss August, 2013 cross country Rookie of the Year, performed with the Moscow Ballet for six years
Hobbies: Running, active in the Plant City First Baptist Church youth group, writing, mission trips and traveling
Future plans: To attend college to major in liberal arts and minor in Health and Nutrition
Kellen Alysse Morris
Parents: Melinda and Trey Morris
School: Senior at Plant City High School; freshman at Hillsborough Community College
Extracurriculars: Varsity flag football, Civinettes, Science Club, yearbook staff, National Honor Society, 1290 Club, October Senior of the Month
Hobbies: Singing in the praise band at church, painting, making jewelry, doodling and shopping
Future plans: To complete an associate’s degree at Hillsborough Community College and transfer to the University of Florida to study architectural engineering
Deanna Rodriguez
Parents: Tony and Stacey Rodriguez
School: Junior at Plant City High School; dual enrolled at Hillsborough Community College
Extracurriculars: National Honor Society, Civinettes, vice president of Future Business Leaders of America, junior captain of varsity soccer, captain for Relay for Life and Team ToMorrow, 2015 Plant City High School Calendar Girl Miss May
Hobbies: Traveling with her family, photography, going to the beach and playing travel soccer
Future plans: To attend a four-year university and pursue a degree in the medical field
Heather Marie Ross
Parents: Todd and Lisa Ross
School: Freshman at Hillsborough Community College
Extracurriculars: Volunteer at Dover Elementary, United Food Bank of Plant City and with animals, recipient of the Heart of Champions Scholarship, Florida Strawberry Festival Livestock Scholarship, FFA Scholarship, National Honor Society, graduated on Honor Court
Hobbies: Exercising, coaching gymnastics, golfing with her dad and going to the beach
Future plans: After completing her degree at Hillsborough Community College, she plans to transfer to the University of South Florida and major in biology
Holly Anne Shuff
Parents: Tim and Stephanie Shuff
School: Junior at Plant City High School; dual enrolled at Hillsborough Community College
Extracurriculars: Member of National Honor Society and Civinettes, Plant City High School Calendar Girl Miss September, Raider of Excellence Award
Hobbies: Surfing the waves, traveling and thrill-seeking
Future plans: To attend a Florida university and major in criminology, with a minor in history and to study abroad.
Samantha Mei Sun
Parents: Jim and Shari Sun
School: Junior at Plant City High School
Extracurriculars: Civinettes Club Officer, Youth Alive, varsity tennis team, National Honor Society, Math Bowl team, Hugh O’Brien Youth Leadership Award recipient, Plant City High School Tennis MVP Award, second place at Optimist Club Speech Contest, first place at PTSA Reflections Art Contest and Art (displayed at Dali Museum), Community Choice Award Lifelink Art Competition
Hobbies: Piano, art, reading, youth summer mission trips, Relay for Life and volunteering with Civinettes
Future plans: To attend a four-year university to pursue a degree in medical sciences with plans of attending medical school.
Kayla Elizabeth Troupe
Parents: Lieutenant Commander Kary Troupe and Mrs. Kelli Green Troupe
School: Junior at Strawberry Crest High School; enrolled in the International Baccalaureate Program
Extracurricular: National Honor Society, captain of the Strawberry Crest Chargerettes dance team, concert band, awarded Superior in dance 2013 and 2014 and First Baptist of Dover Youth Group
Hobbies: Assists with home school students in various areas of math and science, rebuilds schools destroyed by tornados, dance, horseback riding, volleyball, cheerleading and riding rollercoasters with her brother
Future plans: To attend a post-secondary university to obtain a doctorate in psychiatrics, with a minor in biology in hopes of working with our nation’s veterans and their families through the VA system.
Vaviel Michele Verner
Parents: Ed and Amanda Verner, and Cindy Alexander
School: Junior at Lakeland Christian School
Extracurriculars: Member of the National Honor Society, Tri-M Music Honor Society, concert choir and chamber ensemble, Remedy Service Club, Youth Praise Team Psalm 95, Chapel Praise Team and Dance Carousel senior competition team.
Hobbies: Singing, dancing, college-level piano, reading and school musicals
Future plans: To pursue a degree in music education and secondary English education