Nansemond-Suffolk Academy’s Bridget McKneely was crowned the 2018 Peanut Queen at the Queen’s Banquet Thursday night at the Hilton Garden Inn Suffolk Riverfront.

“I’m speechless,” Bridget said. “My parents and my grandparents are just so proud.”

The new queen couldn’t stop smiling after she was named queen, and she is excited to represent Suffolk during the upcoming Peanut Festival activities.

“Next year at school I want to make a support group and keep the community feel,” Bridget said. “This week a student lost his father and the whole school was just so supportive and continues to be. I just want the community and support to continue, and not just in tragedy.”

Bridget is not “peanut born” but wrote her essay about feeling “peanut bred.” The new queen is still a Chesapeake resident, but she believes her whole life is in Suffolk.

“Suffolk, to me, feels more like family,” she said. “This city has the feeling of home and hospitality.”

Bridget’s jam-packed resume includes varsity cheerleading captain, varsity swim team member, class officer and prom committee member. She was on the Debate Club, SPCA Club, Project for Awesome, Breast Cancer Awareness Club and Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

Among many other activities and awards, she has volunteered for the Lower School STEAM Extravaganza, was a chorus mentor, planned the school’s awards ceremony and more. She participated in the American Legion Auxiliary Girls State and received the Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership Award. She has volunteered through St. Matthew Catholic Church and for the Nansemond River Preservation Alliance.

Prior to the crowning, Mayor Linda T. Johnson offered words of wisdom to the peanut princesses.

“Know that your actions and attitudes make a profound impact,” Johnson said. “We live in a man’s world, but don’t step back. Lead. I’m so proud of you, and you have accomplished so much in your short lives. What you do makes a difference, and today is just the beginning.”

The 10 young ladies — two from each public and private high school in Suffolk — who were vying for Peanut Queen were evaluated based on a pre-written essay, community involvement, school activities, awards and achievements and a question asked on stage during Thursday’s event.

Bridget’s question was about her favorite thing about Peanut Fest.

“I just love the community sense of it,” she said. “Older people come, younger people come and everyone is just so welcoming and happy.”

The remaining nine will serve as princesses alongside Bridget. They are: King’s Fork High School — Audre Davis and Johanna Milburn; Lakeland High School — Deja Grays and Terlia Mercer; Nansemond River High School — Katherine Chafian and Mackenzie West; Nansemond-Suffolk Academy — Sarah Perdue; and Suffolk Christian Academy — Haley Adams and Kaitlyn Brittingham.

The banquet, sponsored by the Pilot Club of Suffolk, also celebrated the upcoming Peanut Fest and the history and importance of the event. The theme of this year’s festival is “Peanut Born, Peanut Bred.”

“I’m trying to put more peanuts in this year’s Peanut Fest,” said Executive Committee Chairman Freddie Gardner.

Those involved in making Peanut Fest happen every year want to remind those in Suffolk of the importance of its history. Mayor Johnson also stressed the importance of the farming industry and how it can be attributed to the success of the city.

“The story of Peanut Fest reflects the history of our community. Just as our city has flourished, so has the product,” Johnson said. “Peanut Fest used to be an opportunity to gather together in fellowship after laborious work harvesting peanuts.”

“Farming is a profession of hopes and we celebrate them through this event.”