2023 FLORIDA STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL FIRST MAID JAIDA PAIGE DAVIS

MICHELLE CACERES STAFF WRITER

2023 Florida Strawberry Festival

First Maid Jaida Paige Davis, daughter of Nate and Natasha Davis, is a junior at Plant City High School and dual-enrolled at Hillsborough Community College. She is currently ranked ninth in her class with a district GPA of 5.33. She is captain of the varsity girls’ basketball team, and also plays on the varsity girls’ tennis team. She is a member of the American Sign Language Honor Society and chaplain of the National Honor Society. Her extensive list of volunteer experience includes planning and organizing 2022 Bright Night and more than 100 community service hours at the Florida Strawberry Festival.

The Queen’s Pageant was only her second time participating in a pageant and was an experience she will never forget. She was able to reconnect with contestant Addison Raburn, a former elementary school classmate, and looks forward to spending time with her and other Court members this year.

When she returned to school Monday morning, she received a heartwarming welcome from classmates and teachers. “There were so many people that congratulated me,” she said. The night before the pageant, she prayed to the Lord that if it was His will to allow her to be in the Court. She also refleced on the lessons learned throughout the pageant. “This process has made me a better young woman,” she said.

Q: What was going through your mind when your name was called as Top 5?

When I heard my number called, I was in shock. Ever since I was a little girl, I’ve attended the Florida Strawberry Festival and admired the Queen and her court. I recognize that now other little girls will be looking up to me and I have to maintain my high standards. The way I act in front of my community is the same way I act around my family and friends.

Q: What is one memory you will take away from the pageant?

My parents were so invested and supportive of me throughout the pageant. After I finished anwering my question, I wish I could have taken a mental picture because I could see the proud look on my parents’ faces. I definiely couldn’t have done it without their support. It was also incredible hearing all the cheers from the audience.

Q: What are you most looking forward to about your year on the Court?

I am super exited for the festival this year, not only seeing it from a different perspective but to do it with these girls by my side. I’m excited to not just say thank you to the many volunteers who help make the festival a success but to show them as well. I also look forward to meeting those little girls and hopefully be a role model to them.

Q: What’s your favorite part of the Florida Strawberry Festival?

I’ve been coming to the Florida Strawberry Festival for as long as I can remember and it feels like home. When you walk into the festival you’re greeted by someone you know. There’s always someone with a smile on their face. You can see smiles on little kids’ faces. I’ve never been to another festival that can compare to ours. This past year I was able to volunteer all 11 days of the festival and that was such a blessing. I was able to see a different aspect of the festival because I really truly saw how much work goes into this festival. There’s so many people that love this festival so much that they pour their heart and soul into this place.

Q: What’s your favorite food at the Florida Strawberry Festival?

I’ve never tasted anything like the cinnamon rolls but you have to get them with cream cheese icing spread all over them. The middle part is handsdown the best part. Get one while it’s hot and warm and buy another one to eat the next morning after heating it up in the microwave.

Q: Is there a concert you’re looking forward to attending at the Florida Strawberry Festival?

I’m a huge music fan! At all times I’ve got to be listening to some type of music, but when I saw the lineup for the 2023 Florida Strawberry Festival, I was so excited for Chris Young and For King and Country. In 2019 I saw For King and Country at the Florida Strawberry Festival for the fist time, and it was one of the best concerts I had ever attended. Their incredible entertainment sparked a new love in me for Christian music and I can’t wait to worship with all our guests in my hometown! As far as Chris Young, I am a huge country music girl! Chris Young has so many amazing songs that are loved by many, one of my personal favorites is the song “Famous Friends” who was also sung with Kane Brown. My favorite lyric in the song is “I’ve got some famous friends you’ve probably never heard of… You might not know ‘em here in this big city we’re in but when I go back home I’ve got some famous friends”. This song is such an incredible interpretation of Plant City itself.

Q: What’s your favorite memory of the Florida Strawberry Festival from your youth?

Growing up at the festival, I have had so many incredible memories and experiences that I will cherish forever, however there is one memory in particular that stands out. This was in 2010 when I was four years old. I was with my Mimi and Poppie as they were helping volunteer backstage. Suddenly Darius Rucker steps off f his bus and walks up to me and asked if I’d like to go get a snack. Four-year-old Jaida was so excited and completely starstruck. My Mimi and Poppie without hesitation allowed me to spend the next hour with none other than Darius Rucker. Before I knew it, he had me on his shoulders and we were running out of the gate to go get a cinnamon roll, and finish it at the picnic table backstage, before he went on to perform that night! This is such a special memory that I will never forget! Not only is this so near and dear to my heart because I was able to get a snack with one of the most talented entertainers, but looking back it showed me how little interactions with people can be so impactful and meaningful. To Darius Rucker he was just asking a little girl to go get a snack, but to me he left a lasting impression on me that I will remember forever.