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A membership to the YMCA not only gives you access to the Plant City Family YMCA, but locations across the Tampa Bay Metropolitian area with perks and benefits for the entire family.

The Plant City Family YMCA offers 10 weeks of Summer Camp for ages 6 to 12 years old for $184/week for members and $235/week for non-members. Campers will have the choice of Day Camp, Swim Camp, Basketball Camp, Soccer Camp, and Performance Camp. Weekly Add-Ons are available as well. Learn more about camp at tampaymca.com or visit 1507 YMCA Place, Plant City, FL 33563.

“Summer Camp is a special time where kids get to be kids!” said Paul Conley, Executive Director of the Plant City Family YMCA. “...The best part about Y camps is that children go the entire day without screen time, which in a world dominated by the screen, is a fantastic way for kids to be active.”

This summer, the Y will also offer swimming lessons from ages 6 months up to teen/adult and also offers private and semiprivate swim lessons. Lessons start at $70/month for members and $120 for non-members and private & semi-private lessons require a package purchase.

With all skill levels in mind, water safety is key to a happy, safe summer.

“Drowning is a leading cause of death amongst children and Florida is a state surrounded by water,” said Conley. “At the Y, it is our mission to ensure that each child has the skills necessary to be safe around water! When a child learns to wim, not only are they safer, but they learned a new skill, become a participant in a lifelong activity, and gain a newfound confidence.”

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Please fill out our inquiry form on www cellarplantcity com

BY CIERRA CRAFT

PHOTOS BY DEANNA HURLEY PHOTOGRAPHY

FOCUS Magazine is proud to support the kids in our community through sponsorships and feature Plant City kids in the magazine every month. We attend dozens of annual events for kids, including pageants, parades, agriculture shows, and sporting events.

Kids are the future of our city, and we wanted to shine a little light on our city’s youngest citizens. The Cutest Kid Contest is a great way to showcase just a few of our wonderful kids. For two weeks, we collected submissions and asked you to vote for the three contestants to be featured on this month’s cover. We had over 1 million Facebook users visit our page to cast their vote; thank you to all who voted! We’d like to thank everyone who participated; you’ll find your cute kid featured in this issue as well.

Thank you to the 2023 Cutest Kid Contest sponsor Gould’s Air Conditioning and Heating. With Gould’s support, we were able to have the kids on the cover, individual interviews on the following pages and have a photoshoot with Deanna Hurley Photography. Thank you to Deanna for lending us your time and talent!

We’d also like to thank Chick-Fil-A, Brick City Bricks, The Barber Company, Pelican’s Snoballs and The Florida Strawberry Festival for donating prizes to our three winners. The kids are big fans and were excited to see prizes from each of these businesses in their goodie bags.

Plant City, we’re proud to introduce the 2023 Plant City Cutest Kid Contest winners: Carter, Serenity, and Charlie. See what these cute kids have to say about their life here in our sweet little town.

Winner Of 8 To 10 Age Division

Charlie just moved to Plant City and says he has enjoyed his time here and making new friends. He hopes to play soccer next season and making memories with his family this summer before he goes to the fifth grade.

Charlie, you just got out of school for the summer. What are you looking forward to this summer? We’re going to Universal! I’ve never been, so I am excited!

You just moved here not to long ago. Do you like living in Plant City? Where do you like to go with your family?

I’ve lived here one year and I do like Plant City. I like my school and I have a lot of friends. I like to play outside during P.E., we play soccer. It’s the only sport people at my school like to play. My favorite subject is math, I’m good at it and I like to eat at Outback, I get steak and potatoes.

You’re almost done with elementary school. What advice would you give other kids?

Listen to your teachers; do your homework; and I was new, I had to make new friends. So, play with the kids in your class and you’ll make new friends, too.

What do you like to do in your free time?

I love to play soccer, I hope to play for a team next year. I also like to watch videos, mostly YouTube shorts.

Is there anything you’d like to say to the people reading this?

I’d like to say thank you to Auntie Arricka for taking care of me and my brother. Thank you to everyone who voted for me for this contest.

Winner Of The 5 To 7 Age Division

Serenity loves fashion, art, and LEGO! This sweet girl aspires to be an artist, but with her personality, this writer thinks she has a future as a talk show host.

Serenity, what are your hobbies?

Well, I like art, I want to be an artist. I like to draw and paint Sonic.

Do you mean Sonic the Hedgehog?

Yeah! Sonic the Hedgehog!

I also like to go to the park and play on the swings, it’s my favorite thing to do at the playground. I’m also in Daisy Scounts.

What is your favorite television program?

I like to watch Sailor Moon, I love her hair. I want hair like hers, but I don’t have blonde hair. It’s just so cute, I like to draw her, too. I like to stay home and watch TV–there are always new episodes waiting for me.

What do you like to do with your Dad? What are you going to do this summer?

I love to go shopping for toys and clothes, I mostly go shopping with my Dad. My favorite store is Target! This summer, I am going on a cruise and for the first time. I also might ask my dad to buy me a tie-dye set and a kit to make-your-own headband. I’m heading to Disney and Legoland for the first time.

Where do you like to eat and why?

Chick-Fil-A, they give me a lot of good chicken nuggets. The regular is very crispy and I love it.

You told me a little bit about your school. What are your favorite classes?

Definitely art and music. I like the xylophone, it’s my favorite because of it’s calming melody.

Winner Of The 2 To 4 Age Division

At this age, Carter is all boy– he loves trucks, fishing, and spending time with his family. For this interview, his grandmother–who he calls Teta–Venus Stone helped answer these questions.

Hey Carter, what do you want to do when you grow up? What’s your favorite kind of truck? Do you like fire trucks, Monster trucks or Semi Trucks?

I want to drive trucks! Semi-trucks are my favorite. I went to Monster Jam with my Mommy, Uncle Gary, Teta, and Papa.

What’s your favorite TV show and who are your favorite characters?

Paw Patrol. I like Chase and Rocky.

What do you like to do with your Teta and Papa? I like to go to their house. I like to go fishing and go on the boat.

What are you going to do this summer? My birthday is in June, I’m going to have a rainbow and truck party at the pool.

We are going to Kentucky. My daddy is going to teach a football camp and I’m going to watch the kids.

We will go to the beach. I saw a shark at the beach before and I am taking swim lessons.

Carter, what kind of music do you like?

My favorite song is Gummi Bear, it’s a fun song. My second favorite song is Hallelujah, I like to sing Hallelujah.

Where do you like to eat with your Mommy?

Chick-Fil-A [Carter calls it “Chicka-Fil-A”]. I get chicken nuggets and fry fries. Fry fries make me the most happy!