Contestants for the 2024 Strawberry Festival queen competed on Saturday, April 6. From left: Raesha Martinez, Jaycee Gideon, Aaliyah Larson, Mandy Kiddy and Lily Ritter. Not pictured is Kylee Laginess.

photo: Renee Fite

It was Strawberry Festival season, and the queen contest was held on Saturday, April 6 at the Edna Carson Auditorium. Six lovey ladies had been rehearsing and were hopeful to win the crown for 2024-25.

The contestants were Mandy Kiddy, Jaycee Gideon, Kylee Laginess, Raesha Martinez, Aaliyah Larson, and Lily Ritter.

The girls drew numbers for placement.

The first contestant was Mandy Kiddy, an 18 year old senior at Westville High School and the daughter of Winter Summers and Mike Kiddy.

Mandy’s activities include volleyball and track. At the time of the pageant, she served in the Army National Guard, Student Council and the FCCLA Club. Some of Mandy’s hobbies are makeup artistry and reading. Mandy planned to attend the University of Oklahoma where she would pursue running track for the Sooners and major in Psychology.

In 2024, not many girls were competing in the pageant, which Mandy said made her sad, because it’s such an awesome experience.

“The theme this year is Phenomenal Woman, and this [pageant] is about improving women, which is great. I’m going to base my talent on phenomenal women and being in the National Guard,” Mandy said.

Jaycee Gideon, a 17 year old senior at Sequoyah High School, is the daughter of Kristin Fourkiller and Randy Gideon, and was contestant #2. Jaycee’s activities include golf and basketball.

She serves as National Honor Society president, student council vice-president, and senior class president. She is a member of the Student Wellness Action Team, American Indian Students in Science and Engineering, and Competitive Speech and Drama team.

Some of Jaycee’s hobbies include spending time with family, traveling and playing pickleball. Jaycee planned to attend the University of Oklahoma in the fall and major in Education.

For Jaycee, meeting people is what she’s enjoyed about being in the pageant practices and learning new skills.

“I wouldn’t have introduced myself to them otherwise. It gets me out of my comfort zone,” said Jaycee.

One new skill she’s improved on is learning to talk to the judges. “The interviewing process is helpful,” Jaycee said.

Contestant #3 was Kylee Laginess, 18 year old freshman at Oklahoma Baptist University and daughter of Mike and Teara Plunkett. Kylee is an active member of the Bison Brigade Athletic Marching Band, and a delegate to the Oklahoma Intercollegiate Mock Legislature organization. In her free time, she volunteers for the Bison Buddy program and advocates for Cerebral Palsy Foundation.

Some of Kylee’s hobbies include running, reading, calligraphy, and crocheting. Kylee planned to finish her bachelor’s degree at OBU. Upon graduation, her aspiration is to continue her education in law school with the hopes of achieving a doctorate in law and politics.

Kylee has loved the practices because she’s seen girls she’s competed with for years, as well as new girls, compete.

“I see all of the passion and joy within the future generations of girls,” said Kylee.

Participating in both the Miss Loyalty scholarship competition and the strawberry pageant has helped her so much with networking and public speaking skills.

“I have taken on state leadership in an intercollegiate level organization that specializes in public speaking and legislative writing, I have also been appointed to our student government and gotten to help in so many community service projects. Pageantry builds a lot of initiative and drive, both for community service and individual accountability, and those skills are invaluable,” Kylee said.

Raesha Martinez, 16 years old, and a sophomore at Stilwell High School is the daughter of Rey and Deysha Martinez and contestant #4. She serves on the Spanish Club, Outdoor Adventure Club, FCCLA, Talent Search and is a member of the Stilwell Soccer team. Raesha is the Sophomore Class secretary and an active volunteer at her church, Stilwell Impact. Some of

Raesha’s hobbies include spending time with family and being outdoors.

She can be found most evenings at the Adair County Boys and Girls Club where she is employed as a Youth Development Specialist. Raesha plans to attend the University of Oklahoma’s medical program to accomplish her dream of becoming a Dermatologist.

She’s enjoying “everything” about the pageant practices. “We have a blast. We all get along with each other really good,” said Raesha.

One thing she’s learned is how to stand straight. “It’s important to have good posture, especially when I sit,” Raesha said.

Contestant #5 is Aaliyah Larson, 16 years old, a sophomore at Stilwell High School, and daughter of Jonathan and Tisha Larson. Aaliyah is an active member of the High School Marching Band, in Spanish Club, Art Club, Speech and Drama Club, 4-H Club, and Key Club. Aaliyah is also a Youth Action for Health Initiative participant with the Adair County Officer Team.

Some of Aaliyah’s hobbies include sewing, volleyball, and baking. Aaliyah plans to attend college with a major in Forensic Science.

Meeting new people has been her favorite part of the pageant practices.

“I’m learning not to say, “like” and “um” a lot in interviews, and I really like doing the opening number,” said Aaliyah..

Lily Ritter, a 17 year old junior at Stilwell High School, is the daughter of Brian and Tara Ritter and contestant #6. Lily’s activities include golf and volleyball. She currently serves as FCCLA Vice-president. Lily is a member of the Key Club, Art Club, Outdoor Adventure Club, and on yearbook staff. Lily was featured on RSTV’s Show, “Food Fight” representing Stilwell High School.

Some of Lily’s hobbies include traveling, shopping, cheering, tumbling, and working out. Lily plans to attend the University of Arkansas on an academic scholarship and major in Speech Pathology.

For Lily, how close the girls have gotten and how lighthearted it’s been is what she enjoyed. “I’ve been learning how to portray confidence and talk to people elegantly. And even people who don’t know you can criticize constructively out of love,” said Lily.

Postscript

Lilly Ritter won the 2024 pageant, and was crowned Strawberry Queen on Saturday, May 11, 2024.

Lily Ritter