Sun, 31 Jan 2010 10:31:47 +0000

By DAVE NICHOLSON | the Tampa Tribune

Published: January 27, 2010

PLANT CITY – If you want to go to the Feb. 6 Florida Strawberry Festival queen’s pageant, you’ll have to dig a little deeper into your wallet this year.

The ticket price is rising from $10 to $15 for the pageant, one of the premiere events leading up to the festival. Twenty-four women ages 16 to 20 are competing for the crown.

The sponsor, the Plant City Lions Club, decided to raise prices to generate more money for its charitable projects that include vision screenings for school children, eye health care for the needy, guide dogs and support for the YMCA and Steppin’ Stone Farm for troubled girls, spokeswoman Kelleigh Klein said..

Tickets go on sale from 6 to 8 p.m. Feb. 5 at a ticket booth at the southeast corner of the festival’s expo hall, 2301 Oak Ave. any unsold tickets will be sold at the same location starting at 4 p.m. Feb. 6. the pageant starts at 6 p.m.

Contestants in the pageant will be judged on such categories as personal interview, public speaking, casual wear and evening gown competition.

A panel of judges will select replacements for reigning queen Lauren Der, first maid Sara Beth Newsome and court members Megan Cochran, Joclyn Emerson and Morgan Feaster. the new queen and court will represent the festival at parades and other activities and preside over many festival events. T

For information about the pageant, call Klein at (813) 757-9809 or the strawberry festival office at (813) 752-9194.

The festival is March 4 through 14.

Here are the contestants for Florida Strawberry Festival queen:

MACKENZIE ALLEN, daughter of Wade and Rhonda Allen. She is a senior at Plant City High School. She is a volunteer at the SPCA as a medical center assistant, a member of Keyettes and a member of the National Honor Society. She plans to attend the University of Florida to pursue a bachelor’s in animal biology, then a master’s in veterinary medicine.

JESSICA ARDREY, daughter of Scott and Angela Ardrey. She is a sophomore at Southeastern University. She is involved in the First Team Program and volunteers by collecting blankets, jackets and needed items for the homeless. She is pursuing a bachelor’s in business leadership and plans to become a business owner in the Plant City area.

KIRSTYN BROWN, the daughter of Kevin and Allene Broward. She is a Plant City High School graduate and a freshman at Hillsborough Community College. She volunteers in the children’s nursery with preschoolers and kindergarteners at her church, Bethany Baptist. She plans to attend University of South Florida to pursue a career as an ultrasound technician.

NATALIE BURGIN, daughter of Thomas and Ricky Burgin. She is a junior in a home school program. She is involved with the Sweetheart program for the American Diabetes Association and 4-H, and is a member of the YMCA Youth in Government Club. She plans to attend Florida State University and pursue a degree in international relations and affairs.

DAYLA DEMENTRY, the daughter of James and Kim Dementry. She is a Plant City High School graduate. She is a member of Phi Theta Kappa; an honor society for community colleges. She is a sophomore at Hillsborough Community College pursuing a degree in business.

AMBERLYN DODD, daughter of Allen and Julie Dodd. She is a Plant City High School senior. She is involved in the Foreign Language Club for students who want to receive further achievement in the Spanish language. She volunteers frequently at National Mentor Group Home assisting with patients who have cerebral palsy. She plans to attend Hillsborough Community College to pursue an associate’s in criminal law, then attend a college or university to earn her bachelors and eventually a degree in law.

TYLYNN EBEN, daughter of Larry and Denise Eben. She is a senior at Durant High School. She is a member of the National Honor Society, Thespians, the Step Team and SAC. She is also an active member of Plant City Entertainment. She plans to attend the University of South Florida and pursue a degree in psychology.

EMILY FUNK, daughter of Carl and Shirley Funk. She is a Durant High School senior. She is involved with FFA, Junior Civitan and Best Buddies. She is an active horseback rider. She plans to attend the University of Florida to pursue a degree in equine business.

VICTORIA GARREN, daughter of Kim Williams, Jerry Williams and Jeff Garren. She is a senior at Plant City High School. She is a four-year cheerleader, active in Keyettes, and a member of the National Honor Society, Fellowship of Christian Athletes and the yearbook staff. She also volunteers for various civic organizations, including the Children’s Miracle Network, South Florida Baptist Hospital and the American Cancer Society. She plans to attend the University of Florida to pursue a degree is broadcast journalism with a goal to become a television news anchor in the Tampa Bay area.

RACHEL HALLMAN, daughter of Scott and Darleen Hallman. She is a Plant City High School graduate and is currently attending Hillsborough Community College. She enjoys spending time with family and friends, giving back to the community and is passionate about sign language. She plans to attend the University of South Florida to pursue a degree in interpretation and communications.
SOMER HARVEY, daughter of Tony and Melissa Harvey. She is a Durant High School senior. She is vice president of the Sr. FFA Chapter, parliamentarian of the Durant National Honor Society and member of Hillsborough Community College’s Phi Theta Kappa honor society. She is dually enrolled at Hillsborough Community College and will graduate from both schools at the end of spring. She plans to attend the University of Tampa as a junior to purse a degree in biology and chemistry, then a master’s. She plans to transfer to the University of Florida to pursue a degree in pharmacy.

KATHLEEN HENCKE, daughter of Edward and Lori Hencke. She is a senior at Plant City High School. She is the Key Club treasurer and is a member of the Leadership Council, iWait Abstinence club, National Honor Society and a varsity cheerleader. She plans to attend the University of Florida to pursue a degree in aerospace engineering with the hopes of one day working for NASA as an aerospace engineer.

KELLEY RENEE LOTT, daughter of Aubrey and Debbie Lott. She is a graduate of Providence Christian School and is currently attending Hillsborough Community College. She will transfer to St. Petersburg College to pursue a degree in nursing. after receiving her nursing degree, she will transfer to the University of South Florida pursue a degree as a pediatric nurse practitioner.
ALLISON MARTIN, daughter of Jon and Sue Martin. She is a graduate of Joe E. Newsome High School and a sophomore at Hillsborough Community College Honors Institute. She is the vice president of public relations for the National Society of Collegiate Scholars and a member of Phi Theta Kappa. She plans to attend Florida State University to pursue a degree in elementary education.

BRITTANY MOLINOWSKI, daughter of Stephen and Christine Molinowski. She is a graduate of Plant City High School. She is a freshman at Hillsborough Community College and a member of the Hillsborough Community College Honors Institute and the newly formed French Club. the past two summers, she has helped the Valrico Meals on Wheels group prepare and deliver meals to seniors in the community. after earning her associate’s degree, Brittany plans to transfer to the University of South Florida to pursue a degree in French and spend some time studying abroad.

MARLENE MONTES, daughter of Juan and Maria Montes. She is a Durant High School graduate. She is pursing a degree in accounting at Devry University. She has been on the dean’s list the last three semesters.

COURTNEY NEWSOME, daughter of Andrew and Kimberly Newsome. She is a Durant High School senior. She is involved with the Leo Club, FFA and Durant student government. She plans to attend Hillsborough Community College and then the University of Florida to pursue a degree in pharmacy.

SUMMER NORRIS, daughter of Darren and Toni Norris. She is a graduate of Plant City High School. She enjoys outdoor activities, helping with Teens in Crisis and cooking. She is a freshman at Hillsborough Community College with plans to attend the University of South Florida and pursue a master’s in elementary education. She would like to become a teacher at a local elementary school where she can encourage young children to love learning.

ASHLYN ROBINSON, daughter of Michael and Mamie Robinson. She is a Plant City High School senior. She is a four-year varsity cheerleader, a member of the National Honor Society and Fellowship of Christian Athletes. She is currently involved with Civinettes and volunteers with Metropolitan Ministries. She will attend a four year university and pursue a degree in law.

KRISTEN SMITH, daughter of James and Linda May. She is a junior at Durant High School. She is involved in the Key Club and FFA at Durant High She plans to attend Hillsborough Community College and then transfer to the University of Georgia to pursue a degree in veterinarian medicine.

CHELSEA STEELE , daughter of Cindy Steele. She is a Plant City High School graduate and a freshman at Hillsborough Community College. She is a mentor in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program through Plant City High School. upon graduation, she will transfer to the University of South Florida or the University of Central Florida to pursue a degree in education and a master’s in English. She would like to become a high school Advanced Placement English teacher.

MARCI WALLER, daughter of Albert and Charolette Waller. She is a Plant City High School senior. She is involved in many church activities including drama and the worship band and choir. She is also a member of the debate club and amnesty club. She plans to attend Flagler College to pursue a double major in theater arts and deaf education.

TAYLOR WIGGS, daughter of Joe and Laura Carter. She is a Durant High School junior. She is a member of FFA, a leader of Fellowship of Christian Athletes and a member of the show choir. She is also part of her church youth group and mission team; recently traveling to Nicaragua to help families in need. She plans to attend the University of South Florida to pursue a degree in nursing and becoming a registered nurse.

MEGAN YOUNG, daughter of Fred and Jeannie Young. She is a senior at Durant High School. She is involved in student government, Leo Club and president of FFA. She is a 12-year Girl Scout and an active member at Lone Oak Baptist Church. She plans to attend Hillsborough Community College for two years and then transfer to the University of Florida to pursue a degree in political science and a career in American politics.

Ticket prices increasing for strawberry festival queen's pageant

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Just in time for Valentine's Day, an RIT/NTID graduate has created a new social networking site to help other deaf and hard-of-hearing people find friends on the Internet.

Patrick Petronelli, 28, of Quincy, Mass., created DeafPals.com after becoming frustrated trying to find other deaf people on Facebook and Myspace. Already, more than 700 people from more than three dozen countries have joined his free networking site since it opened in December.

Petronelli, who was born hard of hearing, spent most of his youth in public schools.

"I liked the public school system but I wanted more exposure to the deaf world and people like myself," he says. "My sophomore year, I decided to try something different, so I transferred to American School for the Deaf (in West Hartford, Conn.). During my time there, I discovered a whole new world but more importantly I finally realized I wasn't alone and felt comfortable with myself. I was able to make deaf friends and learn about deaf culture."

Petronelli made more deaf and hearing friends in Rochester when he majored in Web Development at Rochester Institute of Technology's National Technical Institute for the Deaf. After graduation in 2005, he moved back to the Boston area to be closer to his family.

But he missed the social atmosphere of being around so many deaf people.

"I discovered how frustrating it was to meet new deaf and hard-of-hearing friends near me using the common social networking sites," he says. "I know there are thousands of deaf and hard-of-hearing people on Facebook and Myspace, but I had no way of reaching out to them. There is no search option that allows me to screen for people who are deaf or hard of hearing. I want to give everyone a platform for networking."

So the computer whiz used the skills he learned at RIT/NTID and created his social networking site for deaf and hard-of-hearing people.

Its members can search for others by age range and geographic location, and send emails through their profiles.

"Facebook is great for staying connected with friends you know as well as reconnecting with old friends," Petronelli says. "But how many people are out there are just as frustrated as I am? I can actually reach people like myself using my education. So I built a network created solely for the deaf and hard-of-hearing world or anyone who is interested in deaf culture."

He hopes the site will also increase exposure of the deaf community to others. And it could become a source of education for parents of deaf children who want to know more about being deaf.

"It's so important to have friends that you can relate to, to share your life with someone or just have a feeling that you belong. That's why I built DeafPals.com," he says. "The Internet today is so HUGE. It's almost to point where it's too big to find anything anymore. I hope by creating DeafPals that it doesn't make the world seem quite as big anymore for the deaf community."