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Win A 'Blessing' For Queen

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 3, 2008

PLANT CITY - A 19-year-old Southeastern University freshman was crowned Florida Strawberry Festival queen Saturday, besting a field of 25 candidates for the title.

Kristen Elise Smith said her win was a "blessing from God."

"It's more than I can ask for," said Smith, who was competing in the pageant for the second time.

Her twin sister, Lauren Danielle Smith, a freshman at Hillsborough Community College, was named Miss Congeniality.

The new queen is the daughter of John and June Smith. She is pursuing a degree in psychology with a minor in Spanish at the Lakeland university and would like to be a guidance counselor.

Other court members include First Maid Shaunie Leigh Surrency and court members Britney Balliet, Jaclyn Raulerson and Amanda Nicole Sparkman.

This year's pageant was dedicated in memory of the first festival queen, Charlotte Rosenberg, who died in October at age 93. Rosenberg was queen in 1930.

Dave Nicholson

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