Countdown to The De Soto Heritage Festival
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Alysha is the 19 year old daughter of Keltie and John O’Dell of Palmetto. She is 5’6” with dark blonde hair and blue eyes. She enjoys volleyball, reading, volunteering and working out. A graduate of Manatee High School, Alysha won the Golden Herald Award in Citizenship, was in the Top 11% of her class, member of the Medical Arts Academy and Key Club. She participated on the volleyball, basketball, softball, track and weightlifting teams. Alysha attends Bayside Community Church where she is involved in Downtown Ministries and won the Herald Tribune Preps Passion Award for her work with the homeless. She also volunteered at Manatee Memorial Hospital. Alysha is attending State College of Florida where she is a member of the volleyball team, Concert Choir and named to the Dean’s List. She seeks degrees in Nursing and Health Services Administration and plans to be a Nurse Practitioner.
Halley is the 18 year old daughter of Jennifer Sommers of Palmetto. She is 5’3’ with brown hair and eyes and her hobbies are cheerleading, weightlifting and spending time with her family. Halley is a graduate of Palmetto High School where she was President of Student Government, a Varsity Cheerleader, UCA All American Cheerleader, Honor Roll, Varsity Weightlifter, National Honor Society, and President of the Country Hog 4-H Club. She served as Senior Class Commencement Speaker, was Miss Palmetto High School and the 2010 Little Miss Manatee County Fair Queen. Halley is a scholarship recipient to Hillsborough Community College. She plans to transfer to the University of South Florida with a major in Elementary Education and return here to teach at the kindergarten level.
Megan is the 18 year old daughter of Dana Della Costa of Palmetto. She is 5’ 5” with brown hair and green eyes and her interests include painting, volunteering and spending time with her family and friends. Megan is a graduate of Palmetto High School, and currently a freshman at the University of South Florida. After graduation she plans to attend medical school and become a Physician’s Assistant or Pediatric Cardiologist. She would also like to be a spokesperson for Tuberous Sclerosis Complex.
Ryann is 20 years old and the daughter of Tiffany and Adam Johanningmeier of Palmetto. She is 5’3” with brown hair and hazel eyes and enjoys cheerleading, babysitting, nature walks, special effects makeup and spending time with family and friends. After graduating from Palmetto High School, she now attends Hillsborough Community College where she is majoring in Elementary Education to become a Teacher. She is a certified makeup artist for Paul Mitchell in Tampa and is a consultant for May Kay Cosmetics.
Sydney is 22 years old and the daughter of Karen and Eli Lofton of Bradenton. She is 5’8’ with light brown hair and hazel eyes and her interests include singing, photography, volunteering, social media and being creative. She graduated from Manatee School for the Arts, and is now a senior at the University of South Florida seeking a B.S. in Elementary Education. She is President of Sigma Alpha Omega, a member of the American Association of University Women and USF Bulls Who Believe.
Kaylie is the 18 year old daughter of Debbie and Steve Riley of Bradenton. She is 5’6” with blonde hair and green eyes and her hobbies are traveling, camping, ATV mudding, fitness and going to the beach. Kaylie graduated from Manatee High School and now attends the State College of Florida where she is seeking a degree in Nursing. Her future plans are to be Registered Nurse in the Neo Natal Intensive Care Unit.
Brianna is the 21 year old daughter of Kelly and Zeke Eckerson of Parrish. She is 5’3” with brown hair and blue eyes and enjoys attending hockey games, ice skating and Harry Potter World at Universal Studios. She graduated from Lakewood Ranch High School and now attends the University of South Florida majoring in Hospitality Management and pursuing her dream of owning an event planning company in Manatee County. She is very proud to be on the Dean’s List.
Lucie is 20 years old and the daughter of Lynn and Keith Walsh of Bradenton. She has brown hair and eyes and her interests include maintaining good health, shopping and enjoying time with her friends. Lucie graduated from Manatee High School and is in her second year at the State College of Florida where she is on the Dean’s List. She plans to complete her current studies and then continue her education in the field of Criminal Justice.
