March 17, 2025

Festival Announces Selection of Princesses

​The selection of Princesses to serve in the Court of Queen Shenandoah XCVIII for the 2025 Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival® has been announced by festival officials. The princesses include Abby Lawrence Branner, Catie Mae Collins, Madison Elizabeth Murphy, Molly Helen Shea-Roop, and Addison Michelle Rudolph.

Abby Lawrence Branner

​Abby Lawrence Branner is the daughter of Lawrie and Kevin Branner of Winchester, VA. She is the granddaughter of Ann and Larry Wadsworth, of Winchester, Sara and Lanny Branner of Fredericksburg, VA, Larry Whitehead of Winchester, and the late Betsy Whitehead. Abby is a freshman at West Virginia University, pursuing a degree in psychology. She is a member of Alpha Xi Delta Sorority. She is a 2024 graduate of Sherando High School where she was a 4-year varsity volleyball letter recipient. She served as class secretary, was a member of Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA), and a Warrior Pride Award recipient. 

Catie Mae Collins

​Catie Mae Collins is the daughter of Patti and Chris Collins of Aldie, VA. She is the granddaughter of Ellen Porterfield of Aldie, Judy and Mike Smythers of Amherst, VA, and the late James Porterfield. Catie is a freshman at the University of Tennessee – Knoxville where she is majoring in supply chain management. She is a member of the University of Tennessee Supply Chain Scholars of Distinction, Dean’s List, Delta Gamma women’s fraternity, and the young professional committee of the Tennessee Association of Supply Chain. Catie is a 2024 graduate of Lightridge High School. She was a member of the National Honor Society, Latin National Honor Society, and National Charity League. She was a member of the competitive varsity cheer team and competitive dance team. In addition, she was an international qualifier with DECA. Her mother, Patti, served as a princess in the court of Queen Shenandoah LXVII, Lisa Huber.

Madison Elizabeth Murphy

​Madison Elizabeth Murphy is the daughter of Sarah and Will Murphy, of Winchester. She is the granddaughter of Sue and Thomas Rosenberger of Winchester and Linda and Robert Murphy of Chesapeake, VA. She is a junior at James Madison University (JMU) where she is pursuing a degree in health sciences with a minor in pre-occupational therapy. She was a JMU Deans List recipient for the fall of 2023 and 2024 and Presidents List recipient for the spring of 2024. Madison is a member of the club cross country and track team, serving as the community service and fundraising chair. She is a member of the Pre-Occupational Therapy Association (POTA), fall 2023 and spring 2024 JMU Chorale, and fall 2023 JMU Treble Chamber Choir. She is a founding board member of the non-profit, Run Harrisonburg. Madison is a 2023 graduate of Millbrook High School where she served as class Vice President during her sophomore, junior, and senior years. During all four years of high school, she was a member of the varsity cross country, indoor track, and outdoor track teams. She received All-State honors in cross country and indoor track as well as the Winchester Star Girls’ Cross Country Runner of the year in 2019 and 2021. She was a member of Key Club, National Honor Society, and the Millbrook Choir, where she served as Co-President her senior year. Madison was named to the All-State Choir in 2022 and 2023 and the 2022 Virginia Music Educators Association (VMEA) Senior Honors Choir. She was a member of the Millbrook High School Musical Productions for 2019, 2021, and 2023. Madison participated in musicals through Winchester Little Theatre in the summers of 2019 and 2022 as well as the Laurel Ridge Community College Follies in 2020 and 2022. She is the Apple Blossom Girl’s Bloomin’ Mile Record holder and an active member of St. John’s Lutheran Church. Her mother, Sarah, served as a princess in the court of Queen Shenandoah LXXI, Jennifer Wickliffe Robb.

Molly Helen Shea-Roop

​Molly Helen Shea-Roop is the daughter of Jennifer Shea-Roop and Shawn Roop from Winchester. She is the granddaughter of Helen Shea of Ashburn, VA and Janet Tully of Winchester, and the late Thomas Shea. Molly is a freshman at Radford University majoring in psychology. She is a member of the Division 1 cheerleading team at Radford University. Molly is a 2024 graduate of John Handley High School where she was a four-year member of the Student Government Association (SGA), serving as vice president her senior year. In addition, she was a four-year varsity sideline and competition cheerleader, serving as cheer captain her senior year, and was named 1st team all-district and region in 2023. During her junior year of high school, Molly earned her Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) qualification. 

Addison Michelle Rudolph

​Addison Michelle Rudolph is the daughter of Courtney Rudolph and Michael Rudolph Jr., of Grove City, OH. She is the granddaughter of Wanda Click of Jacksonville, FL, Pam Sherfey of The Villages, FL, Michael Rudolph, SR of Grove City, and the late Samuel Long, Jr., and great-granddaughter of Gail and Sam Long of Winchester. Addison is a freshman at Campbellsville University majoring in exercise science. She received an academic and athletic scholarship for wrestling with a current 4.0 grade average. She is a 2025 graduate of Central Crossing High School where she was a member of the National Honor Society. Addison was a two-time Archie Griffin award winner, two-time Ohio Women’s freestyle state champion in 2022, and four-time Ohio women’s wrestling state placer. Her mother, Courtney, served as a little maid in the court of Queen Shenandoah LXIV, Eve Holbrook.

​The Princesses will accompany Queen Shenandoah XCVIII and her Court to all Festival functions throughout the 98th Festival scheduled for April 25th to May 4th, 2025. They will participate in the Coronation Ceremony to be held on Friday, May 2, 2025, at 1:30 p.m. at John Handley High School. They will attend the Queen's Ball and Dance Party Presented by Insurance Center of Winchester, to celebrate the coronation of Queen Shenandoah XCVIII to be held Friday, May 2nd beginning at 8:30 pm at The George Washington Hotel Ball Room. They will ride on the Royal Float in the Glo Fiber Grand Feature Parade scheduled to begin at 1:30 p.m., Saturday, May 3, 2025.

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