2012 Celery Queen Candidates

Naomi Gonzalez, Birgitta Jorgenson, and Wendy Wheaton

Naomi Gonzalez

Naomi has called Sanford and Seminole County home for seven years. She is  a loving mother to a beautiful teenage girl and have a very close, caring family who give me a lot of strength each and every day through their love and support!

I am the owner of Le Petit Nails on 1st Street in Sanford. I am also a Certified Educator and Nail Pro for CND.

I am drawn to Sanford’s history and close community of giving people.  Through my business I have the pleasure of working with individuals and businesses here in Seminole County and Sanford and I am constantly surprised at people’s willingness to give back and learn more!

I feel that Creative Sanford, Inc. has their pulse on a need, not only in our community, but in communities at large across our country.  Citizens need to know and understand their history. As H.G. Wells once said, “History is a race between education and catastrophe.”  We must seek to learn to be able to move forward with success.  Creative Sanford, Inc. through their Celery Soup productions, are doing just that by helping us to understand “our” history in an entertaining way!  Running for Celery Queen gives me the platform to help promote and support this amazing project!

Birgitta Jorgenson

Birgitta is a first-generation Canadian.  Both of her parents came from overseas: one from Europe and the other from the Baltics.   While still in Canada, she received a double major with a degree in Early Childhood Education and a degree in Recreation Leadership.  Birgitta moved to Central Florida as a young adult, Christmas 1994, happily trading in her snow shovel for sun and the occasional hurricane.  Even as she was being a model employee everywhere she worked, Birgitta silently dreamed of opening her own holistic preschool – a place that would be free from prejudice, pesticides and processed food.  In early 2011, Birgitta founded Irblich Schools LLC, and was also accepted into the UCF Business Incubation Program.  Currently the business is in pre-launch.  There is an office located at 110 West 1st Street in historic downtown Sanford, which is across from the Princess Theater, and accompanied with beautiful galleries, specialty shops, family-owned restaurants and cobblestone streets.  Even though Birgitta is busy looking for funding to start her unique school, she was surprised and honored to be nominated to run for the 2012 Celery Queen which, ironically, is a competition between candidates to raise the most money for Creative Sanford Inc.

Everyone has a weakness or addiction – whether they are willing to admit it or not – and for Birgitta, it is musical theater.  She feels privileged volunteering her time to participate in the current production of Celery Soup‘s Touch and Go, Florida’s Folk Life Play.  Birgitta hopes that everyone will show their financial support by donating towards her Royal Campaign for Creative Sanford, Inc., a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.  Please show your Seminole County Spirit by contacting Birgitta to submit your tax deductible donation.  For contact information, and updates, go to:  www.2012CeleryQueenCandidate.com

Wendy Wheaton

As a Florida native, I have lived in Sanford for 35 years. I am an office manager for Central Florida Air Maintenance, an aircraft maintenance shop located at the Sanford Airport. Working there for 32 years I’ve witnessed firsthand the changes and growth at the airport. I’ve always volunteered in some way or another. Currently, I’m on the Historic Sanford Welcome Center board and co-chair the monthly Alive After 5 event as the committee head for vendors and volunteers. I’m also assisting the Sanford Historic Trust this season with advertisement in the 2011 Tour of Homes brochure.

I have grown to love Sanford immensely. I’m so proud of the friendliness and diversity in the city. Last year I attended 2 productions of Touch and Go at the Princess Theatre, and was astonished at all the hard work that went into the play. I enjoyed it so much that I volunteered to usher at a few productions. Even if you’re not from Sanford you felt the community spirit and love of neighbors. The play will have you laughing singing and crying. It is because of this that I wanted to run for Celery Queen and help raise money for the Princess Theatre and Creative Sanford.

My husband Wally, a Winter Park firefighter/engineer, and I have been married for 35 years. We are constantly in downtown Sanford supporting the local restaurants and attend many of the wonderful events Sanford has to offer. We have two incredible children, Rachel and Eric plus a loving son-in-law Rob and beautiful daughter-in-law Natasha. Our two grandchildren Blake and Lexi keep us busy too. They are pure joy and our legacy.

I love to dance, travel and go boating. My children practically grew up on the water and they can’t seem to get away from it either. As the oldest of four girls, I’ve learned there is nothing better than family! My volunteering has allowed me to meet some very interesting people and I’m thankful for the friendships I’ve made. In running for Celery Queen I hope to continue the Sanford spirit.