Queen's court members looking forward to representing festival, community

Florida Strawberry Festival queen's court member say they are counting their blessings.

First Maid Victoria Garren, Taelor Highland, Kori Lane and Summer Norris said they appreciate the opportunity to share in the limelight at the celebration of the crop that makes Plant City famous.

"It's a great honor to represent the town and the festival," Norris said shortly after they made their first public appearance at the Feb. 8 Plant City Lions Club meeting.

"We have received so much support from the festival and the community."

They all say they have been answering text messages, fielding Facebook friend requests and answering calls of congratulations ever since they were selected by the judges.

"People want to know everything that happened. All the details," Highland said, adding that she's had many phone calls from family members in Texas.

Along with Queen Victoria Watkins, they will help introduce the festival's headline acts, ride in its parades and preside over the festival competitions.

Garren and Norris won a spot on the court in their second year in the pageant; Highland and Lane were in the competition for the first time.

Here's a look at each of the court members:

Garren, the 18-year-old daughter of Kim and Jerry Williams and Jeff Garren, is a freshman at Florida Southern College in Lakeland.

She said she is most looking forward to helping with the festival baby parade, where as a 4-year-old she was selected Most Beautiful and can still remember how she looked up to the queen.

She was also festival Junior Royalty duchess in 2002 and first maid in the princess age group in 2005.

As first maid, she said she hopes, "to be a role model for all girls, particularly helping build their self confidence."

Garren is double-majoring in broadcast journalism and advertising with a minor in American Sign Language at Florida Southern, where she is the co-captain of the cheerleading squad and corresponding secretary of the Alpha Delta Pi Sorority. The sorority's philanthropic efforts support the Ronald McDonald House charities.

The Plant City High School graduate recently was selected as a "Face of FSC" for upcoming promotions and advertisements. Prior to entering college, she received an internship with Beyond Imagination Media Services and was featured in several commercials.

Highland, the 16-year-old daughter of Devan and Robin Broadnax, claimed a place in festival history as the second African-American to place on the queen's court. The first, Essie Cecile Dixon, was on the court in 1973.

Highland, a Durant High School junior, said she feels honored and hopes she'll be an inspiration to girls "that they can do anything no matter what their skin color."

She said she is most looking forward to getting to meet entertainer Kenny Rogers, who appears March 3.

"I love Kenny Rogers. My mom's a huge fan," said Highland, who added that her favorite Rogers' song is "Lady."

Highland, who once served on the court of Little Miss Plant City, is involved in the Spanish Club and National Honor Society and tutors local children and volunteers at the Pregnancy Care Center. She plans to attend the University of Florida and study pre-med.

She wants to become a plastic surgeon. Her hobbies include tutoring young girls in science, reading and watching reality TV.

Lane, the 18-year-old daughter of Steven and Debra Lane and a senior at Durant High School, said she knows the next year will be a lot of fun, including a trip to New York City to pick out evening gowns.

Lane said she's really looking forward to forming a bond with her fellow court members that she expects to last a lifetime.

"Other court members have told me that they remain close forever. I really look forward to that," she said.

The varsity cheerleader, senior class council member and FFA member said she is excited about the prospect of playing a role in the festival, which has been a big part of her life.

She was Junior Royalty duchess in 2002 and served as a court member in other divisions.

She plans to attend the University of Central Florida to pursue a business degree. She is also interested in a career in cosmetology and hopes to combine her education and business talents to open an upscale salon.

Norris, the 19-year-old daughter of Darren and Toni Norris and a Hillsborough Community College student, said she is "relishing the great opportunity" that awaits the court.

She said she most looks forward to helping with the livestock shows, where over the years she showed pigs and steers. The Plant City High School graduate is helping two students at Steppin' Stone Farm for troubled girls with steers they have entered in this year's competition.

She was a Junior Royalty court member in a couple of age divisions over the years before she put pageants on hold to "get into the livestock business."

Besides volunteering at Steppin' Stone Farms, she is a member of Welcome Baptist College and Career program and is an English tutor for elementary students who have trouble reading. After she graduates from HCC, she plans to transfer in the fall to the University of South Florida, where she plans to pursue a bachelor's degree in elementary education and a master's degree in education leadership.

In her free time she enjoys outdoor activities, cooking, creating memories with her family and mentoring students of all ages.