Local 2005 De Soto Student Ambassador returns to Spain,

Two decades after being named the inaugural Ambassador to Barcarrota, Spain, by the Hernando DeSoto Historical Society, Samantha Solie has returned to the historic
Spanish town where her journey first began. The trip marked the 20th anniversary of the
cultural exchange that connects Bradenton, Florida, and Barcarrota — the birthplace of
the Spanish explorer Hernando DeSoto — and coincides with the start of a new De
Soto Queens Court season in Manatee County.

In 2005, Solie — then a Lakewood Ranch High School graduate — made front-page
news in the East Manatee Observer when she was selected as the first De Soto
Ambassador to represent Bradenton during Barcarrota’s annual Feria de Barcarrota
celebration. This fall, she returned to the region to celebrate the enduring friendship
between the two communities, joining local dignitaries and Spanish hosts who
remembered her inaugural visit.

In a full-circle moment, Solie presented the official gift from the De Soto royal family to
the Mayor and Government of Barcarrota — a hand-painted ceramic plate she designed
and painted herself.

The trip also brought a deeply personal reunion. Solie reconnected with Franchu Padilla, her Barcarrota counterpart who lived with her family during the original 2005 cultural exchange. Now grown and married to Noelia — another Barcarrota representative who also spent time in Bradenton — the couple introduced Solie to their new daughter, María, born just a month before her visit.

“Returning to Barcarrota felt like stepping back into a memory — but one that had grown
richer with time,” said Solie. “Seeing Franchu and Noelia again, now with their beautiful
baby, truly showed me how this connection between our communities has become a
family legacy. It’s more than a historical exchange — it’s a friendship that’s spanned
decades.”

DeSoto Executive Director, Gus Sokos, said the Society is proud to see how the
ambassador program continues to inspire new generations. “Sam has remained a dedicated contributor to our organization over the years. Her involvement with the Queen’s Court and the Ambassador program has been unwavering.

Additionally, on the last Saturday of each April, Sam can be seen on the Grand Parade route as she introduces the parade entries” said Sokos.
As the DeSoto Historical Society prepares for the 2026 Queen’s Court Social on November 2nd, Solie hopes her story reminds young women that the journey of service, leadership, and cultural connection often begins with that first step.

“For me, it all started with the Queen’s Court — and it’s incredible to look back 20 years
later and see how that experience shaped my life,” Solie added.

The Hernando De Soto Historical Society continues its mission of promoting community
pride, education, and historical awareness through its annual DeSoto Heritage Festival
and cultural exchanges with Barcarrota, Spain.