“Strawberry Nights,” the theme for the Strawberry Festival’s 117th year, invites the Strawberry Festival Court to reflect on the iconic film “Grease,” a movie about friendship, confidence, music, dreams, summer memories, school spirit and classic style.
Just like the film’s main characters, each Strawberry Princess is approaching the end of an era to enter the bigger world beyond, marked by a carnival or, in this case, a Strawberry Festival.
Of all the characters in “Grease,” Princess Payton Voight said she identifies most with Frenchy.
“She is genuine, fun, inclusive, and deeply cares for all her friends,” Voight said. “Although she does not know what the future holds, she continues to move forward with hope.”
But if her own high school years at Lebanon High School were turned into a musical, she said the title song would be called, “Cheers, Change and Everything in Between.”
That’s because the school years, most particularly her senior year, have made life feel “a little brighter and more meaningful,” from exciting football games, playing soccer with her best friends, fun dances and getting more involved with school activities.
“At the same time, I feel I have grown as a person by building new friendships and started preparing for what’s next,” she said. “I feel like [the song title] reflects both the energy of fun experiences through high school, while also capturing the feeling of growing up and realizing this chapter is coming to a close.”
And as the Rydell High characters closed out their high school years with a carnival, the close friends performed an ensemble dance with the song, “We Go Together.” It’s a scene Voight would love to step into.
“While it is high energy, it also blends dancing, friendships and celebration, capturing the feeling of growing up and moving forward together.”
Not surprisingly, Voight said between her festival wave, ability to eat fair food and her dance moves, it is her dance moves she believes she could win in a competition.
While dancing is among her favorite interests, other hobbies include baking, hiking, scrapbooking, traveling to new places and working out.
Voight is the daughter of John and Rachel Voight. She has one sister, Sadie.
In high school, she participated in soccer and track and field, and just finished her first year playing varsity tennis. Voight was also involved in the ski and snowboard club, Leadership, Associate Student Body Council as public relations officer, and Fellowship of Christian Athletes. She was awarded Junior Rotarian (February 2025) and the Optimist Award (May 2025).
Reflecting back on her experience in Leadership, she explained she participated in a buddy program with Pioneer Elementary, where she met weekly with her assigned buddy to help with homework, talk and give them a “positive break” during the school day.
“It is a rewarding experience because it helps keep the students motivated and gives them something to look forward to each week.”
Following graduation, the 17-year-old plans to attend Linn-Benton Community College to work toward a degree in nursing, with her sights set on being an emergency room nurse.
But for now, the Strawberry Princess finds herself being positively impacted by the events she attends with her Strawberry Princess Court. It’s the parades she feels most rewarded by.
“Attending my first parade gave me a strong sense of pride, and being part of such a longstanding tradition has truly been an honor,” she said.
While she’s always had a “deep appreciation” for Lebanon’s own Strawberry Festival and the city’s history, being a part of other parades is making her feel more connected to the neighboring communities.
“It also allowed me to see firsthand the positive impact that the parade and our traditions have on others, and how meaningful they are to the people and communities who attend and participate each year.”
And Voight recognizes that representing her community means “feeling deeply connected to the people and traditions that make it so special.
“It means being proud of where I come from and showing pride through my actions, attitude and involvement.”