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Announced after the Queen Selection Program April 24th and during the De Soto Ball and Coronation April 26th. Tickets available below.
Briana is the 20-year-old daughter of Dennis and Alison Simmons. She has brown hair and blue eyes. Briana is a 2021 graduate of Palmetto High School, and enjoys twirling, attending church, and going to the beach. She is currently attending Manatee Technical College where she is earning a degree in Pediatric Nursing.
Sponsored by USA Fence & Richards Plumbing & Electric
Kinsey is the 18-year-old daughter of Toni and Stephen Bunce. She has brown hair and blue eyes. She is a 2023 graduate of Palmetto High School and enjoys weightlifting, reading novels and traveling. Kinsey is currently attending Hillsborough Community College to pursue a degree in nursing. In the future she has plans to become a nurse anesthetist for the Veterans Administration.
Sponsored by Hascall-Denke & Clearview Windows & Wood, Inc.
Taylor is the 19-year-old daughter of Tracy Clarkson. She has light brown hair and brown eyes. She is a 2022 graduate of Khan academy. Her hobbies include reading, building Legos and playing video games. Taylor also loves to travel. She plans to attend USF college for Nursing to pursue her nursing degree. In the future Taylor plans to become a travel nurse.
Sponsored by Mattresses & More & James & Ashley Purmort
Morgan is the 20-year-old daughter of Matthew and Rebekkah Johnson. She has blonde hair and green eyes. She is a 2022 graduate of Sarasota High School, and she enjoys weightlifting, art, and beef cattle production. Morgan’s future plans include increasing more Brahma cattle in Manatee and Sarasota shows and production.
Sponsored by Suncoast Chevrolet Buick GMC, Marine Surplus & Dakin Images
Taryn is the 20-year-old daughter of Brent and Andrea Shawley. She has blonde hair and green eyes. Taryn is a 2023 graduate of Inspiration Academy. Her hobbies include cooking, weightlifting, gymnastics, and journaling. She plans to attend the State College of Florida where she will pursue a degree in psychology. She desires to become a couples and family therapist.
Sponsored by Leticia Ownbey & Andre Padilla & James & Suncoast Cooperative
Alexis is the 18-year-old daughter of Christopher Williams and Maria Nicolini. She has brown hair and brown eyes. She is a 2023 graduate of Palmetto High School, and her hobbies include baton twirling, teaching baton, dance, and spending time with her family. Alexis attends State College of Florida where she is pursuing her degree in nursing. She plans to become a neonatal intensive care travel nurse.
Sponsored by James & Ashley Purmort & Superior Rescreening
For over 75 years, the De Soto Heritage Festival has celebrated the intellect and talent of a select group of special young women from the community by electing them to the De Soto Queen’s Court. Each member of the court receives a scholarship and serve as goodwill ambassadors for the Hernando de Soto Historical Society and Manatee County through the following spring.
Candidates are recommended by the community and then the Hernando de Soto Historical Society makes its choices on the basis of character, scholastic ability, high morals, and personality.
