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Queen And Her Court Look Forward To Their Festival Roles

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By DAVE NICHOLSON | The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 22, 2009

PLANT CITY - Florida Strawberry Festival queen Lauren Der and her court members say they are becoming fast friends as they prepare to represent the festival, strawberry industry and the community.

They all say the honor hasn't quite sunk in. They've been deluged with text messages, Facebook messages and phone calls since they were chosen at the Jan. 17 pageant. On Jan. 20, they were showered with attention as they made their first official public appearance at the Plant City Lions Club's weekly meeting.

"It's happened real fast. It's just so new," said first maid Sara Beth Newsome, a 17-year-old Plant City High School senior.

Club member Coleman Davis led the Lions in serenading Der, Newsome and court members Megan Cochran, Joclyn Emerson and Morgan Feaster with the song "Let Me Call You Sweetheart." Pageant coordinator Stephanie Shuff said she was impressed with the new festival royalty, including the young women's "intellect and charm."

The pageant, now in its 74th year, is sponsored by the Lions.

After the meeting, the queen and court members said they look forward to their roles at the Feb. 26 through March 8 festival.

Emerson, 20, said she had been going to the festival since she moved to the area when she was 7.

"It's so exciting to be a major part of the festival," said Emerson, a Durant High graduate and sophomore at Hillsborough Community College.

In their first post-pageant interview, the queen and court shared some fun facts:

Der and Newsome live in the Cork area and have known each other their whole lives. They are both active in FFA. Their mothers are close friends.

Lauren's mother, Lori, is a third-grade teacher at Cork Elementary and taught Sara Beth.

Sara Beth's mom, Jo Beth, teaches English at Plant City High and taught Lauren in two classes.

Der, a 19-year-old HCC freshman, chose Jo Beth Newsome when she was asked during the pageant whom she considers her hometown hero.

Jo Beth Newsome said she felt honored that Der selected her as her hero and that Lauren has always held a special part in her heart.

Newsome said she felt "blessed" that her daughter won first maid and that she and Lauren are in the court together.

"It's been a wonderful experience. I'm thrilled with the way it's turned out," she said.

Der's selection as queen made pageant history as the only time sisters have served as queen; her sister, Erica, was queen in 2003. But that wasn't the only historical footnote to her reign. She was selected by her fellow contestants as Miss Congeniality. That's the first time in memory that the queen also won the congeniality award, Shuff said.

The queen and court preside over festival events, such as introducing headline acts. They also receive savings bonds, flowers, scholarships and even a year of free tanning at a local salon.

"We're so thankful for everything," Cochran said.

Der, Newsome and Feaster are longtime friends. Emerson and Cochran became friends through a pageant coach.

Der and Feaster were in their second year competing for festival queen; the others were first-time participants. Once a contestant places on the court, she cannot enter the pageant again.

Emerson was named Durant High's Miss Cougar in 2007, an award based on bodybuilding and fitness. Feaster, 18, who is studying cosmetology, was a cheerleader all of her four years at Plant City High before her 2008 graduation. Cochran, the tallest court member at 5 feet 11 inches, is a member of a Special Olympics volleyball team through the Best Buddies program, which pairs mainstream students with those with special needs.

Several court members have shown livestock at the festival, but the only one with an entry in 2009 is Newsome, who has a steer named Lynwood, or "Woodie" for short.

They are all looking forward to the festival so they can meet new people and represent the community. Cochran adds that she looks forward to polka dancing on senior citizen day, and Feaster is savoring the festival food.

Reporter Dave Nicholson can be reached at (813) 865-4432.

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