A New Queen Lions Club Crowns 2023 Strawberry Queen

By Cierra Craft

Miss Kennedie Clinton was crowned 2023 Florida Strawberry Festival Queen from the 24 participants in the Florida Strawberry Festival Queen’s Scholarship Pageant, held January 21.

First Maid Miss Jaida Davis and Court Members Miss Addison Raburn, Miss Fe Ramirez, and Miss Kaleigh Salmon will join Clinton at almost every event throughout the coming year.

One year ago, Clinton was crowned the 2022 Junior Royalty Queen and now reigns over the 88th Florida Strawberry Festival as its official Queen.

Raburn and Salmon attend the same church and said they had been praying about the pageant together and feel blessed to have each other on the court. Davis said this is only the second pageant she has ever competed in, so she feels blessed to be a top 5 finalist. Ramirez and Davis shared in the sentiment that this is where God has put them and they’re blessed.

This year’s emcees were Hannah Hodge Benton, 2006 Strawberry Queen and owner of RAOK Boutique, and David Lang, owner of Ragalia Gowns in Orlando. The competition was fierce with a preliminary competition comprising a pre-pageant personal interview, a casual wear competition, and a public speaking competition with a commercial for their sponsor.

Contestant #4 Bailey Brock was sponsored by Haught Funeral Home and reminded the attendees that they are “drop-dead gorgeous” and contestant #6 Gracie Garner suggested her sponsor, retirement and assisted living Grace Manor at Hunters Creek, would “help her parents get the help they didn’t even know they needed.”

The third portion of the preliminary competition was the formalwear portion, where each contestant showcased their gowns. This year, trains appeared popular with many competitors opting for one, including contestant #3 Morgan Brake and #20 Josephina Mejia. who both chose a black mermaid-style gown with a white train.

After a brief intermission with entertainment by Drawdy’s Dance School, the top 10 contestants were named: Kennedie Clinton, Morgan Brake, Bailey Brock, Gracie Garner, Addison Raburn, Emmylou Varnum, Fe Ramirez, Grace Pagliaro, Kaleigh Salmon and Jaida Davis. These top 10 competitors would continue in the competition and their scores from the preliminary competition were eliminated; each contestant was starting again at zero.

The top 10 contestants were held in a secure room. Each was then called to the stage individually to answer an impromptu question: The Florida Strawberry Festival Queen represents Florida and Plant City. Why would you make a good representative?

Fe Ramirez shared she believed the Queen had to have a heart of service and she’d consider it a privilege to represent the city as Queen. Grace Pagliaro shared she wants to leave every person she would encounter as Queen with joy in their heart.

The top five finalists were named with Jaida Davis being named as First Maid. Meaning each of the remaining four finalist had a 25% chance of being named Queen. Emcee Hannah Hodge Benton then announced, “The 2023 Florida Strawberry Festival Queen is contestant #1 Kennedie Clinton.”

Clinton’s jaw dropped and her knees appeared to buckle in disbelief. 2022 Queen Kenley Connell placed the sash and crown on Kennedie and told her to take her first walk as Queen.

“I’m so excited! This is such an amazing opportunity to represent my community,” said Clinton. “I’m so honored. I’m so blessed. Words can’t describe how I’m feeling right now. I’m on cloud nine!”

Clinton is the daughter of Michael and Michelle Engle. She is currently a junior at Durant High School. Clinton serves as a member of the National Honor Society, the National Arts Honor Society, the National English Honor Society, and the Durant Theatre Company. She plans to pursue a career in law or physics to become a criminal defense attorney or astrophysicist.

Throughout the year, the queen and court make more than 80 appearances as they represent the Florida Strawberry Festival and the Plant City community, including parades and events supporting local causes such as the United Food Bank, Plant City Rotary Club, and Relay for Life.

Florida Strawberry Festival President-Elect Kyle Robinson said, “the judges did an outstanding job of selecting a group of sweet, intelligent, and well-spoken young ladies. The previous queen and court held a high standard, but I’m confident this court will be up to the challenge and make us proud!”