2007 QUEEN'S COURT
Queen Caitlen Leigh Williford
Caitlen is the 19-year-old daughter of Cathy Williford of Bradenton. She has brown hair and brown eyes and loves to dance, read, travel and swim.
Caitlen is a 2006 graduate of Manatee High School where she actively participated in the Sugar Canes’ dance program and competition dance team. She helped the team earn various local, state and national recognitions and was the drill assistant for the group. Caitlen is an accomplished pianist and violinist and she received numerous recognitions including the Golden Herald Award for her talents in music. Caitlen was named the most outstanding senior girl in 2006 and awarded the White M for academic achievement. She participated in Girls state and Cotillion and was a member of the Key Club, where she chaired the K family relations committee, throughout her four years in high school. She also was a member of the Class Board. She was a member of Manateens and graduated from the Jr. Leadership Manatee Program in 2005. Further she was a member of the Reinaunce service club.
Currently Caitlen is attending Manatee Community College where she is on the Dean’s list. Her love of music is continued through various activities and competitions.
Caitlen is a member of the Presbyterian Church community and acts as a greeter at church services. She has been a past participant in the Sac Pac after school care program. Caitlen plans to pursue her degree at the University of Florida and receive a bachelor’s degree in history.
Princess Melissa Beth Smith
Melissa is the daughter of Michael and Janet Smith of Bradenton. She is 20 years old and has brown hair and brown eyes. She enjoys dancing, running, camping, boating, shopping and going to the beach.
She is a graduate of the class of 2006 from Manatee High School. While attending Manatee she was an honor roll student and a member of the National Honor Society and graduated in the top 4% of her class. She was also a member of the music honor society. She was a member of the Sugar Canes and competed on the Sugar Canes’ competition dance team where she was awarded numerous ribbons and honors. To serve her community, she was a member of her class board, student council, Reinaunce. She held numerous leadership positions within these organizations. In addition, she was the Reinaunce girl of the year, received the Phi Beta Kappa Certificate of Commendation, attended Girls State and received the American Legions Good Citizen Award. Further, Melissa has been inducted into the Manatee High School Hall of Fame.
Melissa is a member of Faith United Methodist and is pursuing her degree in civil engineering with a specialization in coastal engineering. She plans to return to Florida’s gulf coast to work on coastal and environmental issues.
Alyssa Anne Boyes
Alyssa is the 20-year-old daughter of Scott and Karen Boyes of Bradenton. She has Ash blonde hair and blue/grey eyes. Alyssa enjoys photography and volleyball.
Alyssa is a 2005 graduate of Manatee High school where she was a member of the varsity volleyball, basketball, track and tennis team. As a senior Alyssa was named volleyball player of the year. To serve her community, Alyssa participated in the Mam’selles service club where she completed many projects. She participated in Young Life and was a youth middle school leader at Palma Sola Bay Baptist Church.
Alyssa began her college at Florida Gulf Coast where she participated on the volleyball team. She has since transferred to Manatee Community College and has earned a spot on the volleyball team there. She is a member of Ignite, a member of the Art Club and volunteered at Samoset Elementary School.
Alyssa is a member of the Palma Sola Bay Baptist Church. She is a Young Life Leader as well as a Campaigner leader. Alyssa plans to continue her studies in photography and prepare for a career in marketing and advertising.
Lauren Elaine Elliott
Lauren is the 20 year old daughter of Robert and Lee Elliott of Bradenton. She has blonde hair and green eyes and enjoys dancing, writing, scuba and swimming.
Lauren graduated from Manatee High School in 2004 where she was in the top 20% of her class and was on the honor roll all 4 years. She was a member of the National Honor Society and was named to Who’s Who Among American High School Students. While at Manatee Lauren competed athletically on the track and field team and was a trainer all four years of high school and the head trainer her senior year. As a service to her community, Lauren accomplished over 500 hours of community service in various organizations. She was a nominee for the Hugh O’Brien Youth Leadership Forum.
Collegiately, Lauren is a Presidential Scholarship Winner, and attends the University of South Florida. She is a member of the National Scholars Honor Society and a member of USF Honors College. She is an English Major and has a minor in Leadership Studies. She is a member of the Alpha Delta Pi sorority. She is also a resident of the Leadership House at USF which is home to students who wish to further their leadership skills by working together with others who share the same goal. Lauren is a regular blood donor.
Lauren is a member of Christ Episcopal Church where she as an Acolyte, a youth group member and also participated in Fellowship of Christian Athletes. She plans to attend law school, study estate planning and probate, receive an MBA and return to Bradenton to work with her father.
Cassandra Alyse Fahy
Cassandra is the daughter of Sean and Sandra Fahy of Bradenton. She is 18 years old and has brown hair and chestnut brown eyes. Cassandra enjoys dancing, spending time with friends and family and shopping.
Cassandra completed high school in 2006 at Manatee High School. She was a member of the Sugar Canes dance team where she was a dance supervisor. She participated in the National Dance Team Competition. She was a member of the sophomore and junior class boards and served her community through her participation in Key Club and Reinaunce. She was also honored academically as a member of the academic Renaissance, Music Honor Society and Medical Academy.
Cassandra is currently a Dean’s list student at Manatee Community College.
She is a member of West Bradenton Baptist Church where she has assisted with church camps and vacation bible school. Cassandra plans to get her A.S. degree in dental hygiene from MCC and then further her education at Florida State University.
Rachel Lynn King
Rachel is the daughter of Bill and Laurie King of Bradenton and is 19 years old. She has blonde hair and blue eyes. Her passions include photography, softball, cooking, working out and art.
Rachel was a member of the class of 2005 from South East High School. She was a standout at Southeast as Captain of the Softball team, the Year Book Editor and Captain of the weightlifting team. In addition, she was Miss South East, Prom Queen and recipient of both the Golden Feather Award and the Teachers Choice Award. She served her school as a member of the Key Club and served spiritually as a member of Seminoles for Christ.
She attends Manatee Community College, where she is on the dean’s list and participates in Christian Challenge.
Rachel is a member of West Bradenton Baptist Church where she is active with the youth group, mission trips, a College and Singles Group member, a Camp Councilor, Children’s Pre School Ministry and Vacation Bible School. She plans to receive an AA degree from MCC and then attend the University of South Florida where she will major in elementary education.
Lindsay Elaine Smith
Lindsay is the 20-year-old daughter of Michael and Janet Smith of Bradenton. She has blonde hair and blue eyes and spends time dancing, drawing, painting, traveling and camping.
Lindsay is a 2004 graduate of Manatee High School where she maintained a 4.0 grade point average and was a member of the National Honor Society, Honorary Academic Club, and the Academic Renaissance. She was active in the Mam’selles service group and served as Recording Secretary. She also served as a member of the Key Club. Lindsay was a member of the Sugar Canes dance team as well as the competition n dance team where she received numerous awards and ribbons. She was active in student government, participated in the Cotillion Club of Manatee and was on the homecoming court her senior year.
Currently, Lindsay is enrolled at the University of Florida where she majors in elementary education and minors in Spanish and is a dean’s list student. She is a member of the Extreme Dance Company, Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Campus Crusade for Christ. In addition she is active with her sorority, Pi Beta Phi where she serves as the assistant membership chair. Through her sorority she is committed to several charities including Arrowmount School of the Arts, Read Across America, March of Dimes and Children’s Miracle Network. She is also an active volunteer in the Alachua County School System.
Lindsay is a member of the Faith United Methodist Church and has been active with the church dance group and the youth group. She plans to graduate from the University of Florida, and move back to Bradenton to become a teacher.
Amanda Kathleen Varner
Amanda is the 19-year-old daughter of Nancy Varner of Bradenton. She has brown hair and hazel eyes. Amanda enjoys dance, traveling, photography and working on mission trips.
A 2005 graduate of Manatee High School, Amanda was active in Mam’sells, Key Club, Student Government, Class Board and the Royal Academy of Dance. Academically Amanda was a member of the National Honor Society.
While attending the University of South Florida Amanda is studying public relations and is the Sisterhood Chair of the Zeta Tau Alpha sorority. Through ZTA she has participated in much philanthropy including Children’s Miracle Network, Red Cross, North American Food Drive, Prevent Child Abuse America and American Juvenile Arthritis Foundation. In addition, she is a member of the Bulls Business Network and is a participant in the residence hall association.
Amanda is a member of First Presbyterian Church and has been active in the youth group, the church nursery and “the tree” through her church. She plans to complete a degree in public relations and continue her work with various mission groups.
Julia Francesca Virgilio
Julia is the daughter of Guy and Patty Virgilio of Bradenton. She is 18 years old and has brown hair and brown eyes. Julia stays active participating in dance, photography, and deaf culture activities and working with children.
Julia graduated from Manatee High School in 2006 and has numerous volunteer credits to her name. She spent time at Jessie P Miller Elementary School volunteering with deaf and hard of hearing students. She acted as a student teacher in the Manatee High Kiddie College and was president of the Future Educators of America. She was a member of the Manatee High School Key Club and was honored academically as part of the Renaissance and received a White M for academic achievement. She was also active with the Sugar Canes as a drill assistant and received numerous accolades for her involvement with the Sugar Canes.
Currently, Julia is attending Manatee Community College where she continues her commitment to the deaf and hard of hearing community. She communicates fluently with the deaf and currently is exploring opportunities to assist that community further. In addition, she is active with KC and the Sunshine Dancers competitive studio dance team.
Julia is a member of St. Peter and Paul Church and she is an assistant religious education teacher. She plans to complete her studies at Manatee Community College and transfer to the University of North Florida to continue her studies in deaf/ hard of hearing sciences and ultimately become an educator for deaf and hard of hearing people.
Krystal Leigh Weaver
Krystal is the 18-year-old daughter of Dan and Karen Weaver of Bradenton. She has brown hair and brown eyes and enjoys dancing, singing and serving her community.
Krystal is a graduate of the class of 2006 from Manatee High School. She was an active member of the Key Club where she served as the project committee chair and the social committee chair. She had well over 450 hours of community service in her high school career, and the second most of any member of the Key Club her senior year. Academically she was recognized as a member of the Renaissance and artistically was the runner up her senior year for best musician at Manatee High School. She was a member of the Sugar Canes dance team and competition team where she received numerous accolades. Further, she was a member of the Marching Canes, Woman’s Choral, Woman’s Festival Choral and lettered in music.
At Manatee Community College Krystal continues her active involvement with the Kiwanis family as a member of the Circle K club. She has served as Club Secretary, Social Committee Chair, President Elect and is currently Club President. She was presented the most dedicated member award in 2006 and has completed over 100 hours of service to the club. In addition, she has been instrumental in the development of a dance team for MCC.
Krystal attends West Bradenton Baptist Church where she was a member of the youth group and participated in the church choir. Upon completion of her education Krystal intends to work with special needs children and pursue her dreams in that field.