BY DAN HILDEBRAN
Monitor Editor
KEYSTONE HEIGHTS— The secretary of the junior class won the 2022 title of Miss Keystone Heights High School. The pageant was held at the school on Saturday, March 5.
Candace Jackson is the daughter of Billy and Wanda Jackson of Keystone Heights. She is an active member of the student council, FFA and Future Health Professionals. Jackson is also a member of the school’s golf, tennis and track teams. After graduation she plans to earn a nursing degree at Santa Fe College and then an advanced degree to become a neonatal nurse.
Jackson told the audience that the best benefit of participating in the pageant was gaining courage and confidence.
“I wanted to get out of my comfort zone,” she said.
For her talent, Jackson played the keyboard.
Herndon runner up
Judges selected Alison Herndon as runner up. Herndon is duel-enrolled at Keystone, is a member of Future Health Professionals and plans to pursue a career in healthcare. Her hobbies include playing the drums, guitar and ukulele. One of her highest aspirations is to travel the world, and since the second grade she has dreamed about joining the U.S. Coast Guard. She plans to join the military branch after graduation and hopes to serve as a health services technician. After her service in the Coast Guard and earning a nursing degree, Herndon aims to become a travelling nurse.
During the pageant, Herndon said that among her biggest passions are the arts, particularly music, painting and drawing.
Six other contestants competed for the Miss KHHS title.
Jenna Baker is the daughter of Jay and Donna Baker of Starke. She is a student advisor for FFA and enjoys photography, watching kids and teaching Sunday School. After graduation, she plans to attend Santa Fe and the University of Florida to obtain a psychology degree.
Carly Rogers is the daughter of Cheryl Rogers of Keystone Heights.
She is a member of Key Club, Future Health Professionals, the soccer team and the softball team. She is also involved in Students Working Against tobacco.
Rogers also works at the Keystone Heights golf course and enjoys fishing, hunting, hiking and other outdoor activities with her family.
Rogers plans to graduate high school with a Certified Nursing Assistant’s license and start her career while training at the University of Central Florida to become a surgical technician.
Katherine Harrison is the daughter of Kimberly and Timothy Harrison of Keystone Heights. She is the Key Club editor, a second-year varsity cheerleader, a third-year varsity flag football player and a junior class representative on the student council.
She enjoys cheerleading, singing, watching sports, hanging out with friends, going to church with her nanna and volunteering in her hometown.
After graduation Herndon plans to study elementary education at the University of North Florida. She also hopes to intern with school sports teams and eventually work in the National Football League for a few years before returning to the classroom to teach first grade.
Emma Givens is the daughter of Stacie and Timothy Givens of Keystone Heights. She is a member of Key Club and FFA. Her interests include aviation, literature, art, and poetic composition.
After completing high school and earning an AA from Santa Fe College, Givens plans to continue her education at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and work as a commercial pilot.
Dezaray Bright is the daughter of Esau and Crystal Bright of Keystone Heights.
Bright is a member of the weightlifting, basketball and flag football teams, earning all-county second team in basketball. She also volunteers at her church in several capacities. Her hobbies include drums, piano and guitar.
Bright hopes to continue her basketball career in college while studying athletic training.
Kaitlin Brown is the daughter of Shawn and Tracie Brown of Keystone Heights.
She is the vice president of the junior class and is a duel-enrolled honor student. Brown plays varsity volleyball and softball and serves on the student council. She is an active member of Trinity Baptist Church and enjoys playing bass guitar, playing catch with her dad and babysitting her nieces and nephews.
Brown hopes to earn degrees at Santa Fe College and the University of South Florida and to enter private practice as a physical therapist.
