Alexandra is 20 years old, graduated in the class of 2018 from Palmetto High School. She is currently attending the State College of Florida on the President’s list. Alexandra plans on furthering her education at the University of South Florida to obtain her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education.
Leah is 18 years old, National Honors Society member, graduated from Palmetto High School, class of 2021. She also earned her AICE diploma with over a 4.0 GPA. She currently attends Santa Fe College in Gainesville, and plans to obtain her doctorate in Veterinary Science, specializing in livestock and small animals from the University of Florida.
Presley is from Nashville, Tennessee, graduated from Wilson Central High School. She now attends State College of Florida, transferring to University of South Florida majoring in Forensic Science, 18 year old Presley one day plans to work for the FBI.
Alexandria was an honor roll student, graduating from Manatee High School in 2021. She is 18 years old, competitive cheerleader as well as a junior cheer coach herself for EVO Training Center. Alexandria plans to work in the field of anesthesiology.
She was an officer in JROTC from Bayshore High School, class of 2021. She graduated with honors. Her future plans after completing State College of Florida, is to have a lifelong career in the United States Air Force. Cecilia is 18 years old.
Billie is pursuing her degree in Business and Management from Hillsborough Community College, transferring to the University of Florida majoring in Agribusiness with a minor in interior design. She is 18 years old, graduated in the top 15% of her class from Palmetto High School in 2021,while dual-enrolled at the State College of Florida.
A Palmetto High School graduate in 2021, she also earned her AICE diploma with both merit and scholar designation. She attends the State College of Florida, while still being active in Student Government. Alyssa will be pursuing her bachelor’s degree in Family, Youth and Community Sciences, as well as her master’s degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Florida.
Victoria is 21 years old, she graduated from Braden River High School in 2019. She is currently on the Dean’s list at the State College of Florida. Victoria is obtaining a degree in Business Management. This will allow her to continue her pursuit of a promising career at American Woodmark.
Jalyn will be graduating from the University of Florida this spring with her bachelor’s in Animal Sciences, food animal specialization and will continue working towards her master’s degree. Jalyn at 17, graduated from Riverview High School and State College of Florida both in 2019 with her Associates of Arts degree.
Samantha graduated in 2019 from Palmetto High School. She was on the dance team for 3 years and now is on the coaching staff for the Palmetto Dazzlers dance team. Samantha is 21 years old working towards her associates degree, furthering her education with a bachelor’s in history and master’s in education.
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.
For more then a decade, young ladies ages seven, eight, nine and ten years old, have had the opportunity to be a princess on the Conquistadorables as they shadow the Queen’s Court during the annual De Soto Heritage Festival.
This mentoring program promotes self-confidence, poise, etiquette and growth as each girl becomes a Princess.