Meet the 2016 Florida Strawberry Festival contestants

The Florida Strawberry Festival’s 2016 theme, “Royal Fun for Everyone,” will mean even more to one lucky girl on Saturday, Jan. 23. The annual Florida Strawberry Festival Queen’s Competition will take place at the Grimes Family Agricultural Center on the festival grounds. 2015 reigning Strawberry Queen Samantha Sun will pass on her crown to one of 23 girls, and four more will be sashed on the court.

Kendra Allen 

Parents: Wade and Rhonda Allen 
School: Senior, Plant City High School 
Extracurriculars: Member of Youth Alive Council, National Honor Society and Young Republicans, attends First Baptist Church of Plant City, going to the beach and hanging out with friends 
Future plans: To attend Florida Gulf Coast University and major in history 

Jailine Alvarez 

Parents: Leonel and Patricia Alvarez 
School: Senior, Durant High School 
Extracurriculars: Member of Leo Club, Spanish National Honor Society and AVID 
Future plans: To attend Florida Polytechnic University and major in mechanical engineering 

Alex Aponte 

Parents: William and Mary Aponte 
School: Senior, Newsome High School 
Extracurriculars: President of FFA Chapter, 2015 first place Rumba Showcase, 2014 FFA Meat Judging state-winning team, member of National Honor Society, FFA and theater, ballroom dancing, performing in local theater, raising and showing steers Future plans: To attend the University of Florida and major in biology to become a cardiothoracic surgeon 

Marlee Arn 

Parents: Edward and Michelle Arn 
School: Junior, Plant City High School 
Extracurriculars: PCHS Calendar Girl Miss March, youth worship band and youth leadership team at First Baptist Church of Plant City, member of Plant City High School Concert Choir, Interact Service Club, Plant City High School varsity swim team, Teenage Republican Club, National Honor Society, Youth Alive Council and All-County Concert Chorus, singing, performing, traveling, swimming and volunteering 
Future plans: To attend Samford University and major in vocal performance and interior design 

Athena Batten 

Parents: Scott and Alison Batten 
School: Junior, Durant High School 
Extracurriculars: Member of FFA, Criminal Justice SWAT Club, 2010 Junior Olympics in swimming, four-wheeling, hog hunting and creating jewelry 
Future plans: To obtain a degree in forensic science to become a crime scene investigator 

Olivia Brosky 

Parents: Lt. Col. and Mrs. Carl Brosky 
School: Senior, Plant City High School; freshman, Hillsborough Community College 
Extracurriculars: President of National Honor Society, reporter for Senior Executive Council, Plant City High School Senior of the Month September, 2016 PCHS Calendar Girl, Plant City Optimist Club Outstanding Youth, Rotary Club 54TL delegate, College Board AP Scholar, member of Girls Interact, PCHS Leadership Team, Interclub Council, attends First Baptist Church of Plant City, plays guitar, and likes watching baseball and spending time with friends 
Future plans: To earn an associate’s degree at Hillsborough Community College and transfer to Florida Southern College to pursue a degree in history and pre-law 

Calaydria Trichelle Callins 

Parents: Pastor Calvin Callins Sr. and Dr. Tandria Callins 
School: Senior, Plant City High School 
Extracurriculars: President of Student Government Association, vice president of Senior Class, 2015-16 PCHS homecoming queen, captain of varsity cheerleading, National Honor Society, church youth mentor 
Future plans: To attend Florida State University and pursue a degree in sports medicine and physical therapy 

Dallas Denise Cline 

Parents: James and Sheryl Cline 
School: Freshman, Hillsborough Community College 
Extracurriculars: Playing flag football in high school, Miss Cougar and orchestra for all four years of high school, lettering in orchestra, hanging out with friends and family 
Future plans: To pursue a doctorate in physical therapy 

Madison Dowdy 

Parents: Barry and Jennifer Dowdy 
School: Senior, Newsome High School; dual enrolled at Hillsborough Community College 
Extracurriculars: Newsome FFA vice president, National Technical Honor Society, Meats Evaluation Team, FFA OCC Team, FFA Miss Sweetheart first runner up, First Place in FFA OCC Competition, first place record book winner for Florida Strawberry Festival Swine, competitive dance, piano, stand-up paddleboarding, raising and showing pigs at local fairs, spending time with family and friends 
Future plans: To attend the University of Tampa honors to obtain a bachelor’s degree in marine biology and then attend vet school to become an aquatic veterinarian 

Kassandra Figueroa 

Parents: Noelia and Oscar Figueroa 
School: Student at Hillsborough Community College 
Extracurriculars: National Honor Society, received CDA credential, folkloric dancing, working with children and helping others Future plans: To get a degree in elementary education and become a teacher 

Morgan Gaudens 

Parents: Henry and Melissa Gaudens 
School: Freshman, Hillsborough Community College
Extracurriculars: Three-year FFA officer in high school, won state title in Agriculture Issues in FFA, competed in FFA Nationals, horseback riding, exercising and spending time with family and friends 
Future plans: To attend the University of South Florida and get a degree in business management 

Allison Lane 

Parents: Emmett and Stephenie Lane 
School: Junior, Plant City High School 
Extracurriculars: First Baptist Church of Plant City Youth, third-generation FFA member, Academic Raider of Excellence, lettered in FFA as a co-curricular, participating in public speaking contests, helping special needs children through Skills USA, shooting bow, and hanging out with family and friends 
Future plans: To graduate from PCHS with a cosmetology license and use it while pursuing a degree in psychology, specializing in counseling 

Abigail Miller 

Parents: Gary and Cherity Miller 
School: Senior, Plant City High School 
Extracurriculars: Captain of the girls’ cross country team, president of Youth Alive, member of National Honor Society, National Technical Honor Society, Interact Club, First Baptist Church of Plant City Youth Leadership Team, Bold and the Positive Coaching Alliance, track and field, 2013 Cross Country Rookie of the Year, six-year Moscow Russian Ballet Company dancer, Cross Country Regional Qualifier, 2015 PCHS Miss August Calendar Girl, attends First Baptist Church of Plant City, mission trips, running, skiing, working with children and spending time with family and friends 
Future plans: To attend a university in Florida and double major in public relations and dietary nutrition. 

Ariel Navarrete 

Parents: Juan and Lucy Navarrete 
School: Junior, Plant City High School 
Extracurriculars: Plant City High School’s “The Raider” mascot, member of Student Government, Future Business Leaders of America, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Interact, Teenage Republican Club, varsity soccer, captain of junior varsity cheer team, Hillsborough County second team all-conference for girls’ soccer, 2015 Offensive MVP and leading scorer for PCHS Lady Raiders, Plant City Times & Observer Athlete of the Week, volunteer with Ronald McDonald House Charities, playing soccer, mentoring young girls on mission trips to Nicaragua, playing guitar, teaching Sunday school, making funny videos with friends and interior decorating 
Future plans: To attend Southeastern University and pursue a degree in education and possibly play soccer 

Haley Riley 

Parents: William and Heather Riley 
School: Junior, Durant High School 
Extracurriculars: Vice president of Durant’s FFA Chapter, member of Spanish National Honor Society, Future Medical Leaders of America, Durant FFA Sweetheart court member and two-year Durant Calendar Girl, public speaking contests with FFA, showing livestock and pageants 
Future plans: To attend the University of Florida and obtain a residency in pediatric anesthesiology 

Kendale Sellers 

Parents: Kevin and Ellen Sellers 
School: Senior, Plant City High School 
Extracurriculars: Plant City Calendar Girl Miss March, member of Civinettes, Raider Regiment, American Sign Language, Color Guard and Winter Guard, Weapons Captain, cosmetology program, attends Shiloh Baptist Church, traveling, spending time with family, shopping, learning new hair and makeup techniques, going to the beach, attending classic car shows and competitions with her dad 
Future plans: To attend Paul Mitchell The School of Tampa to become a hair stylist and makeup artist 

Carley Smith 

Parent: Windy Faith Hope Ford 
School: Senior, Plant City High School 
Extracurriculars: Member of National Honor Society, Debate Club, track and field, and basketball, working out, studying and reading 
Future plans: To attend Florida State University in hopes of becoming a physician’s assistant 

Ashtyn Steele 

Parents: Christopher and LaDonna Steele 
School: Junior, Plant City High School dual; enrolled at Hillsborough Community College 
Extracurriculars: Member of the Lead Team at First Baptist Church of Plant City, National Honor Society, Team Future (Relay for Life) Club 
Future plans: To attend the University of Central Florida and study film 

Julia Strickland 

Parents: Donnie and Tina Strickland 
School: Senior, Strawberry Crest High School 
Extracurriculars: 2015 SCHS Miss November Calendar Girl, SCHS varsity cheerleader, first place cheer team in district, regional and state competitions for SCHS, captain of varsity flag football, member of National Honor Society, FFA, Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Student Council, attends Salem Primitive Baptist Church, volunteering at local animal shelters, painting pottery, volunteering in her mom’s third grade classroom and rides horses. 
Future plans: To attend Florida State University and pursue a degree in forensic science 

Kayla Troupe 

Parents: United States Navy Commander Kary Troupe and Kelli Green Troupe 
School: Senior, Strawberry Crest High School’s International Baccalaureate Program 
Extracurriculars: SCHS Chargerettes dance team, SCHS Charger band, Red Cross 
Future plans: To study neurological psychology 

Aalyhia Watson 

Parent: Stacey Hunter 
School: Senior, Plant City High School; dual enrolled at Hillsborough Community College 
Extracurriculars: Member of National Honor Society, Leo Club, Civinettes, vet assisting program, Student Government Association and National Technical Honor Society, Bright Futures scholarship recipient, over 150 community service hours contributed to Clearwater Marine Aquarium and the SPCA, representing the senior class, working with organizations that give back to the community and helping animals find their forever home through the SPCA volunteer program 
Future plans: To attend the University of Florida and pursue a degree in marine biology 

Arden White 

Parent: Lisa McGrath 
School: Junior, Plant City High School; dual enrolled at Hillsborough Community College 
Extracurriculars: Founder and president of BOLD, 2016 PCHS Calendar Girl Miss February, vice president of National Honor Society, vice president of Girl’s Interact, member of girl’s varsity golf teas, writing for the Plant City Times & Observer and baking for the homeless each month
Future plans: To attend the University of Tampa and double major in communication and international business

Ashlyn Yarbrough 

Parents: Mark and Lori Yarbrough 
School: Junior, Plant City High School 
Extracurriculars: Three-year varsity cheerleader, president of Interact Girls Service Club, president of Fellowship of Christian Athletes, National Honor Society, treasurer of Future Business Leaders of America, first or second place speech contest winner in contests by Rotary, Optimist, Florida Farm Bureau and the VFW, 5.37 GPA, ranked in the top 10 of her class, over 400 community service hours, three mission trips to Haiti, writer for FOCUS Magazine, youth leadership team at First Baptist Church Plant City, Hoby Leadership Conference, UF Leadership Conference. 
Future plans: To attend the University of Florida and major in public relations