Plant City will be well represented at the upcoming Miss Florida Pageant.
As Miss Orange County, Plant City’s Victoria Garren, 20, will be competing for the state title July 10 to 13, at the Mahaffey Theater, in St. Petersburg. And accompanying her as a Sunshine Princess will be Cork Elementary student Milee Hasting, 6.
Although they’re not blood-related, the two are as close as sisters. Hasting sits comfortably in Garren’s lap while she braided her hair.
“She’s a really great partner to me,” Hasting says.
The duo is part of Miss Florida’s Sunshine Princess and Prince Program, a mentoring experience through which Miss Florida contestants choose a “princess” or “prince” ages 5 to 12. The contestants bond with their younger court members through extra-curricular activities. The court members also get a chance to go on stage during the evening gown portion of pageants and bring their contestant a flower.
Garren and Hasting have known each other through their families for years. So, it was only natural for Garren to choose Hasting as her princess. The two love to go to baseball games together, and Hasting also helps Garren secure sponsors, such as Keel and Curley Winery, Your Family Jeweler and Forbes Road Produce, and collect donations for the Children’s Miracle Network.
When Garren won the Miss Orlando/Winter Park/Orange County Pageant in February, Hasting was standing on stage supporting her. If Garren wins the Miss Florida Pageant, she has a shot as becoming Miss America.
Garren, who attends Florida Southern College, has been competing in pageants since she was a baby. Her first win was Most Beautiful at the Florida Strawberry Festival Baby Parade. Since then, she has been capturing consistently the hearts of judges and Plant City residents. She won the Duchess title in the Junior Royalty Pageant when she was 9. Garren was the Plant City High School Cover Girl in 2009. She also was named First Maid in the Florida Strawberry Festival Queen and Court Pageant.
To date, Garren has competed in 20 pageants. At 13 years old, she started in the Teen division of the Miss America system. This is her first year in the Miss division.
“I didn’t recognize my own strengths until the Miss America system,” Garren said. “That’s when you start the interviews. Confidence comes from getting on stage and being able to speak.”
Like Garren, Hasting started her pageant career early. She won the 2012 Baroness title in the Junior Royalty Pageant. Most recently, she placed in the top five at Sunburst Beauty Pageant and will go on to nationals.
“I think it’s really cool getting on stage,” Hasting said. “I like walking on stage and showing them who I am.”
“I’m really excited,” Garren said. “It’s one of those things where a little girl says, ‘I want to be Miss America.’ We can see the steps it takes to get there.”
MISS FLORIDA PAGEANT
WHEN: July 10 to 13
WHERE: Mahaffey Theater, 400 First St. S., St. Petersburg
PEOPLE’S CHOICE: Fans can vote for their favorite contestant until July 11. Votes cost $1 and can be made at missfloridapeoplechoice.com.