2006 QUEEN'S COURT
Queen Ashley Morgan Williams
Ashley is the 18-year-old daughter of Michael and Beverly Higgins of Palmetto. She has brown hair and blue eyes and she enjoys country line dancing, boating and spending time with friends and family.
Ashley is a 2005 graduate of Palmetto High School in the top 10% of her class. She was the captain of the Varsity Cheerleading squad, a varsity weightlifter, and a member of Pep Club. She also served as secretary of the Student Government Association, was the Yearbook Staff Senior Editor, a broadcasting journalist, as well as a participant in theater and drama. Ashley was honored in high school as a faculty selected senior notable, received several academic achievement awards, an outstanding service and leadership award, and was also voted by student body to have the most school spirit. She was the Prom Princess in 2005 and crowned Miss Palmetto High School in 2004.
Currently Ashley attends Manatee Community College and maintains a position on the Dean’s List which has led her to be nominated for the Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society. She personally helped to house victims of Hurricane Katrina and assisted the Palmetto Rotary Club in providing a better Christmas for needy and less fortunate families. She helps to coach little league cheerleading for the Manatee Wildcats and volunteers for several local charities. Ashley hopes to receive an Associate in Science Degree and work in the field of Dental Hygiene.
She is an active member of Christ Presbyterian Church.
Princess Ansley Christina Boyd
Ansley is the 20-year-old daughter of Jim and Sandy Boyd of Bradenton. She has brown hair and brown eyes and spends spare time traveling, playing tennis, shopping, going to the beach and boating.
Ansley graduated from Bradenton Christian School in 2004 where she made the honor roll all four years of high school. She was president of the Senior Class, captain of the Cheerleading Squad, president of the French Club, a member of the Spanish Club and played on the varsity tennis team. To better serve her community she joined the Mam’selles club and served as its vice president her senior year.
Currently Ansley is attending Manatee Community College and plans to finish her education at Florida State University. She is a member of Delta Delta Delta Sorority where she helps to raise money for St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. She would like to get her degree in fashion merchandising and ultimately design and market her own clothing label.
Ansley is a member of the Palmetto First Baptist Church and has been an active member of Young Life.
Marie Elizabeth Barrow
Marie is the 19 year old daughter of Anne and Steve Barrow of Bradenton. She has brown hair and brown eyes and enjoys scrap booking, fishing, skiing and rollerblading.
Marie was a 2005 graduate of Lakewood Ranch High School. While in high school, Marie participated in weightlifting and cheered for all four years. She was a 2005 Universal Cheer Association All Star cheerleader. She served her school and community through Key Club, Student Government Association, Manateens, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and Special Olympics. In addition, she was a member of the Junior and Senior Class advisory boards, and a gold member of academic Renaissance.
Currently Marie is a freshman at Florida State University. She volunteers counseling under privileged children through the HELP group. Marie hopes to graduate from FSU with a degree in communications and pursue a career with international travel.
Marie is a member of Our Lady of the Angels and was active in the Young Life Program.
Julianne Battles
Julianne is the 18-year-old daughter of Patricia and Richard Battles of Bradenton. She has brown hair and blue eyes and her hobbies include cheerleading, playing the piano and going to the beach.
Julianne was a member of the class of 2005 at Lakewood Ranch High School where she was an active member of the Student Government Association and the Senior Advisory board. She participated in the cheerleading program and the choir. She also belonged to the National Honor Society, Lakewood Leaders, Key Club and Manateens through which she committed many hours of community service.
Presently Julianne is a freshman at the University of Central Florida. She serves as a Student Government Election Commissioner, a Pan Hellenic Delegate and is a member of the Alpha Delta Pi Sorority. She plans to use her degree to move into the advertising and public relations industry.
Julianne is a member of Our Lady Queen of Martyrs church and the youth Group at the Church of Hope where she volunteers her time helping those less fortunate.
Kristina Marie Castner
Kristina is the 20-year-old daughter of Brad and Tanya Castner of Bradenton. She has brown hair and brown eyes and loves to dance, shop and exercise.
Kristina graduated from Lakewood Ranch High School with a 4.0 grade point average and was captain of the State Champion Dance Team. She was also selected Miss Lakewood Ranch High School Princess in 2004, was a member of the Student Government Association and was a member of both the Junior and Senior Advisory Boards. She also served her school community by participating in Key Club, Lakewood Leaders, and Student Government where she served as class treasurer. Kristina was also active on the national scene by participating in the New York Macy’s Day Parade, the Superbowl XXXV Pregame Show and Phoenix Arizona’s Fiesta Bowl events.
Currently in her second year at Manatee Community College, Kristina holds a position on the Dean’s list, the President List and is a member of the Phi Theta Kappa National Honor Society. She has stayed active with her dance through coaching a non-profit dance team that has earned the 2005 State Championship title and works with the competitive dance team at Palmetto High school. She also serves her community through Habitat for Humanity. She plans to finish at MCC with her associate’s degree and move on to the University of Florida where she will study dermatology and eventually use that in her professional career.
Kristina is a member of Saint Peter and Paul Catholic Church.
Shelby Nicole King
Shelby is the 19-year-old daughter of Jon and Nancy King of Ellenton. She has brown hair and brown eyes and likes to lift weights, read and spend time with her family.
Shelby is a 2005 graduate of Palmetto High School where she graduated second in her class. She was a member of the National Honor Society, Editor of the Yearbook, attended the youth leadership forum in Washington D.C. and was named to Who’s Who among American High School Students. In addition, she was a member of FFA with the second highest grade point average in the club. Athletically, she was a 4-year member of the weightlifting team and a cheerleader.
Presently Shelby is attending the University of Florida where she was placed on the Presidents Honor Roll for having a 4.0 grade point average. She hopes to obtain her degree in health science. To serve her community, she participates in the Cancer Walk-a-thon, works with Special Olympics and teaches youngsters gymnastics.
Shelby is an active member of the West Bradenton Baptist Church.
Aimee Rachel Seheult
Aimee is the 19-year-old daughter of Dr. Malcolm and Mrs. Robin Seheult. She has brown hair and brown eyes and enjoys the piano, opera, reading and running.
Aimee is a member of the class of 2005, Manatee High School, where she earned recognition in the National Honor Society, Beta Club, Renaissance, French Club, American Sign Language Club and sang in the choir. In addition, she was a member of the Sarasota Youth Opera. She has held the titles of Miss Manatee County, Miss Teen Florida, and was the first runner up in the Miss Florida Teen USA pageant.
Currently Aimee is attending Manatee Community College where she is vice president of Student Advent. Aimee performs musical theater, jazz piano and has participated in an opera. After transferring to the University of South Florida, Aimee will work toward earning a bachelors degree in musical performance and biology. Aimee hopes to gain acceptance into medical school to become a medical doctor and to perform the leading role in an opera.
Aimee is a member of the Bradenton Seventh Day Adventist Church and is active as a youth counselor, Pathfinder leader, a youth class teacher and performs in the “singspirations”. She volunteers feeding the homeless during holidays and works with Alzheimer’s patients in remembrance of her grandmother.
Jennifer Amelia Simpson
Jennifer is the 19-year-old daughter of James and Jane Simpson of Bradenton. She has blonde-brown hair and blue eyes. In her spare time she likes to dance, exercise, be with friends and family, and shop.
Jennifer graduated from Manatee High School as a member of the class of 2005. While at Manatee, she was co-captain of the Sugar Canes Dance Team, Junior Class Senator, a class board member and participated in several parades including the Macy’s Parade in New York. She served as Secretary of the Student Council and was honored academically as a member of Renaissance. She also served her community as an active member and committee chair of the Reinaunce Service Club. Jennifer was the 2005 Homecoming Queen at Manatee.
Currently Jennifer is a student at Valencia Community College. In Orlando Jennifer is a member of the Orlando Predators Dance Team. Upon graduation from Valencia she plans to enter the University of Central Florida and acquire a degree in business. Ultimately Jennifer would like to secure a position as a buyer for a major department store.
Jennifer is a member of Redeemer Lutheran Church. She was a member of the Young Life Program and has committed over 400 hours of her time to community service.
Rachel Ann Taylor
Rachel is the 20-year-old daughter of Jay and Ginny Taylor of Palmetto. She has brown hair and brown eyes and enjoys volleyball, scrap booking and participating in her church group.
Rachel Graduated from Palmetto High School in 2004 where she was a Homecoming Princess as well as the Christmas Queen. She holds varsity letters in multiple sports including soccer, volleyball and track and field. She was an active participant in Student Government, Pep Club, Key Club and the school band.
Currently Rachel is on the Honor Roll at Manatee Community College and an all conference volleyball player. She made the second team all conference for the division one community college volleyball team and has stayed active with the Palmetto volleyball program assisting the head coach with that program. She also coaches with the Manatee Area Volleyball Club, assisting the 17 year old girls. She is a member of the African American Student Government and a member of the MCC Athletic Service Club. Rachel plans to continue in college and earn her certificate as an elementary school teacher and high school volleyball coach.
Rachel is active in her church communities and volunteers with the youth group at Ellenton First Baptist as well as the Palmetto First Baptist children’s after school program. She was a member of Young Life and a Wyldlife leader.
Shea Danielle Whidden
Shea is the 19 year old daughter of Daniel and Michelli Whidden of Parrish. She has brown hair and brown eyes and enjoys dancing, traveling, shopping, and boating.
Shea is a 2005 graduate of Palmetto High School. She was an active member of the dance team where she received numerous awards on the local and state levels, was a UDA All-Star, and a participant in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. She also placed in several state and national competitions as co-captain of the East Bradenton All-Stars and the Legacy Competition Team. She was named in Who’s Who Among American High School Students, was a member of FCA and Pep Club, a peer counselor, served on the Junior and Senior Class Cabinets and was the Senior Class Representative for Student Government where she was producer of the 2005 Miss Palmetto High School Pageant. She was also voted “Most Talented” by her senior class.
Currently Shea is attending Manatee Community College and plans to transfer to the University of Florida as a business major to pursue a career as a special events coordinator.
Shea is a member of Palmetto First Baptist Church and was an active member in the Young Life program for Palmetto.