The selection of Princesses to serve in the Court of Queen Shenandoah XCVII for the 2024 Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival® has been announced by festival officials. The princesses include Berkley Ilise Bennett, Alexandra Grace Gluszak, Ella Leilani Kiesewalter, Hannah Grace Lloyd, and Averi Grace Thomas. Berkley Bennet is the daughter of Candice and Erich Bennett of Luray, VA. She is the granddaughter of Barbara and Charles Griffin of Littiz, PA and Eileen and Jon Bennett of Norfolk, VA. She is a senior representing Randolph-Macon Academy. She is a varsity letter recipient in volleyball and basketball, serving as captain her junior and senior years. She serves as vice president of the Science National Honor Society as well as the Student Life Committee. Berkley is a member of Luray United Methodist Church and has participated in multiple community service projects. Alexandra “Alexa” Gluszak is the daughter of Jeanette and Thomas Gluszak of Winchester, VA. She is the granddaughter of Mary and Ron Mater of Allegany, NY, Thomas D. Gluszak of Ashville, NY, and the late Leslie Gluszak. Alexa is a senior representing John Handley High School. She has served for four years as the Class of 2024 Student Government vice president. Alexa was named as second team 4A All District for the varsity volleyball team and served as captain for the 2023-2024 season. She is a four-year A honor roll recipient and is the leader of the Class of 2024 project. Additional credentials include selection as the 2023 Homecoming Queen, coordinator of the INOVA blood drive, and membership in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Ella Kiesewalter is the daughter of Abigail and Torsten Kiesewalter of Cross Junction, VA. She is the granddaughter of Sandra Barr of Puerta Vallarta, Mexico, Christa Jamieson of Homberg, Germany, and the late Randy Barr and Ulrich Kiesewalter. Ella is a senior representing James Wood High School where she is an Honors/AP student. She is a member of the National Honor Society, a varsity letter recipient in cross country and track, and was selected as the 2023 Homecoming Queen. Ella attends Compass Community Church. Hannah Lloyd is the daughter of Sarah Lloyd and Chad Lloyd, both of Winchester. She is the granddaughter of Carla and Tom Lettis of Virginia Beach, VA and the late Charlotte and Joe Lloyd. She is a senior representing Millbrook High School where she has received academic honors. Hannah has served as treasurer of the National Honor Society, as president of Educators Rising and is a member of the Millbrook High School Choral Department. She was named the sociology student of the year and participated in the 2023 Homecoming Court. Averi Thomas is the daughter of Kimberly and Darren Thomas of Stephens City, VA. She is the granddaughter of Darlene and Robert Thomas of Johnstown, PA and the late Barbara and John Sherbondy. She is a senior representing Sherando High School where she served as Senior Class Vice President, is a four-year honor roll recipient, and member of the National Honor Society. Averi participated in the junior Homecoming Court and was named Queen for her senior year. Averi is a varsity letter recipient for both soccer and basketball and is a student leader for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. She is an officer for Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) and a national qualifier for FCCLA state conference. Averi is a member of the national honor society for 2023 and 2024. Averi participates on travel soccer for Blue Ridge United, travel basketball for Supreme Game Changers, and is a member of the Victory Church youth ministry band. The Princesses will accompany Queen Shenandoah XCVII and her Court to all Festival functions throughout the 97th Festival scheduled for April 26 to May 5, 2024. They will participate in the Coronation of Queen Shenandoah presented by Morgan Orthodontics on Friday, May 3, 2024, 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 XCVII on Friday, May 3rd at 8:30 pm at The George Washington Hotel Grand Ball Room. They will ride on the Royal Float in the Glo Fiber Grand Feature Parade scheduled at 1:30 p.m., Saturday, May 4, 2024.
Sharen Gromling, president of the Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival® is honored to welcome Jon Huertas back to his hometown to serve as Grand Marshal of the 2024 Festival. Jon Huertas is known professionally as an actor, director, and producer. In his hometown, when he graduated from John Handley High School in 1987, he was known as Scott Hofstedt. For six seasons, Jon starred as Miguel Rivas on NBC’s critically acclaimed, award winning series, This Is Us. His character’s story spanned decades, from the 1970’s to present day, not just allowing Jon to show exceptional range as an actor but also an impressive physically trans-formative range. Audiences also know Jon from his role as the tough but affable, Detective Javier Esposito on the hit dramedy, Castle, which ran for eight seasons on ABC and can now be found on Hulu. He and his Castle co-star, Stana Katic, received the award for Best Performance in a Drama Episode in the 16th Annual PRISMS Awards. He had a stand-out performance as Sgt. Tony “Poke” Espera in HBO’s limited series, “Generation Kill”, which offered an unheralded streetwise view of the USMC's 1st Recon invasion of Iraq that Jon, being a veteran himself, calls the most meaningful role of his career. As a filmmaker, Jon’s directed episodic television, including episodes of Tracker, The Irrational, This Is Us, The Rookie, The Rookie: Feds, The Company You Keep, Home for The Holidays Castle and Castle. DVD Bonus Content, as well as award winning short films and music videos. He has produced narrative and documentary feature films, earning him an appointment to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. And his production shingle, WestSide Stories, formed with his fellow Groundlings alum Kenny Stevenson, has several TV, Podcast and Film projects in various stages of production and development. He most recently produced Lena Heady’s feature directorial debut, The Trap, and is currently preparing for his own feature debut as a director with the feature films, Rock Bottom Express and Defenses. His company has several series in development with Peter Farrelly/Happy Madison & Village Roadshow, eOne and Alexi Hawley’s Perfect Man Pictures, Campanario, Christina Davis/Amazon and George Tillman’s, State Street. Jon served on active duty in the United States Air Force from 1987-1995. He participated in Operation Just Cause and Operation Desert Storm where he served as an aircraft nuclear/conventional weapons specialist. He simultaneously earned his degree in Musical Theatre before making the move to Los Angeles in 1995 where he pursued his childhood dream of becoming an actor. This year marks 29 years in the entertainment business. He is now putting more of his focus into Directing and Producing as he relocates to Gold Country in Northern California to live with his wife, Nicole, and animals on a horse farm. Jon will be attending Festival events, including the Coronation, presented by Morgan Orthodontics, at John Handley High School, where he will be knighted by Queen Shenandoah, Joy Berlanga. He will then ride through his hometown streets in the Hang 10 Car Wash Firefighters’ Parade, May 3, at 5:30 p.m. He will lead the glo fiber Grand Feature Parade on Saturday, May 4, at 1:30 p.m. Festival President, Sharen Gromling, is pleased to announce that the winner of Season 24 of The Voice, Huntley, will serve as Firefighters’ Marshal in the 2024 Hang 10 Car Wash Firefighters’ Parade. Singer-songwriter Huntley captivated fans and audiences with his style of southern blues and rock, and raspy vocal ranges and gained mass recognition for his versatile style and command on stage. Compared to the likes of Chris Stapleton, Radiohead, and Bradley Nowell of Sublime, Huntley’s polished performances garnered him as having performed on big stages his whole life. No stranger to the music grind, Huntley earned the crown and has continued to captivate fans and audiences. Huntley’s performance is best described by coach Niall Horan “…a machine on stage, it's insane.” In keeping with our effort to have a local/regional connection to our Festival guests, Gromling is thrilled that Huntley is “almost local”, living just over the mountains in Fredericksburg, VA, with his two children, Stella and Michael, Jr. Stella joined her dad on The Voice stage to help him choose Niall Horan as his coach. Huntley has been open and motivated about being involved in his children’s lives even with his busy schedule. He independently released his first single and video, “Holdin’ On”, in 2022 and a later project titled, “Fire and Flames”. Huntley will appear at Festival events including the Coronation of Queen Shenandoah presented by Morgan Orthodontics at Handley High School, Hang 10 Car Wash Firefighters’ Parade on Friday, May 3, and the Glo Fiber Grand Feature Parade on Saturday, May 4. Additionally, Huntley, “singer-songwriter, country, definitely Southern blues rock 'n' roll" performer, has agreed to perform at the Malloy Toyota Country Music Party at the Tolley Dental Zone in the James R. Wilkins, Jr. Athletics & Events Center, 1188 Ralph Shockey Drive, on Saturday, May 4, at 7:15 p.m. The selection of Princesses to serve in the Court of Queen Shenandoah XCVII for the 2024 Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival® has been announced by festival officials. The princesses include Jo-Elle Eileen Chesson, Jordyn Alexis Hansbrough, Hailey Marie Johnson, Ashley Anne McGuire, and Samantha Rose Stevens. Jo-Elle Chesson is the daughter of Patricia and Tos Chesson of Acworth, GA. She is the granddaughter of Mary Washington of New York City, NY, Moses Yarssah, Teresa Johnson Gildersleeve, and Joseph J.F. Chesson all of Monrovia, Liberia. She is the goddaughter of Eileen Caldwell of Berryville, VA. She is a freshman at Columbus State University majoring in biology. She is a member of the African Association Club. Jo-Elle is a 2023 graduate of Allatoona High School where she was a member of the Diversity Club and the Minority Representation Association (MRA). Jo-Elle was active with the Grace Lutheran Church Youth Group in Winchester. Jordyn Hansbrough is the daughter of Jennifer and John Hansbrough of Winchester, VA. She is the granddaughter of Roberta Ziemer of Wintersville, OH, Luke Wilson of Carrollton, OH, Faye and Robert Hansbrough of Rockingham, VA, and the late Robert Ziemer. A freshman at James Madison University, Jordyn majors in media art and design with a creative advertising concentration. She is a 2023 graduate of Millbrook High School where she was an active member of Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA) all four years, earning Vice President of Marketing 2023, International Career Development Conference Emerging Leader 2022, Junior Leader of Marketing in 2021, International Career Development Conference Qualifier 2021, and International Career Development Conference Certified Gold for Millbrook’s School Based Enterprise. While attending Millbrook, she was also a member of the Key Club and National Honor Society. In 2023, Jordyn was the Quota International of Winchester Scholarship Recipient, Winchester Host Lions Club Scholarship Recipient, and the Shenandoah Valley Electric Cooperative Scholarship Recipient. Hailey Johnson is the daughter of Heather and Jeffery Johnson of Rappahannock, VA. She is the granddaughter of Nancy Parker of Watertown, NY and Lori Johnson of Duluth, MI. She is a junior representing Shenandoah University where she majors in biology. She is a member of Sigma Rho Delta and Leadership and Educational Development (LED) Fellows as well as a head orientation leader and first year seminar mentor. Hailey is a 2021 graduate of Clover Hill High School and enjoys dancing. She has a special interest in becoming a pediatric physician assistant. Ashley McGuire is the daughter of Susan and James McGuire of Winchester. She is the granddaughter of Jeanette and Sam Garst of The Villages, FL, Joan McGuire of Arlington, VA, and the late James F. McGuire. She is a first-year student at The University of Virginia where she is majoring in public policy. She is a member of the Club Competition Cheer Team and Younglife. Ashley is a 2023 Millbrook High School graduate who served as President of her class sophomore, junior, and senior years. She was a four-year varsity cheerleading letter recipient and served as cheer captain as well as receiving first team all-district for competition cheer. Ashley was a member of the National Honor Society and District Choir. She was a recipient of the Pioneer award, Sportsmanship award, and Character award during her time spent in varsity athletics. She was a member of Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Millbrook High School’s Younglife. She participated in several high school theater productions and acted in Shenandoah University summer music theater for three years. Samantha Stevens is the daughter of Andrea and Donald Stevens of Winchester. She is the granddaughter of Darlene and Paul Stevens of Ocean Pines, MD and the late Rose and Stacy Reeves. She is a freshman at Virginia Tech majoring in interior design. She is a member of Alpha Delta Pi Sorority. Samantha is a 2023 graduate of John Handley High School where she was a varsity letter recipient in girls soccer her junior and senior year. She was also a Handley Scholar for 2022 and 2023. The Princesses will accompany Queen Shenandoah XCVII and her Court to all Festival functions throughout the 97th Festival scheduled for April 26 to May 5, 2024. They will participate in the Coronation of Queen Shenandoah presented by Morgan Orthodontics on Friday, May 3, 2024, 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 XCVII on Friday, May 3rd at 8 pm at The George Washington Hotel Grand Ball Room. They will ride on the Royal Float in the Glo Fiber Grand Feature Parade scheduled at 1:30 p.m., Saturday, May 4, 2024.
The selection of Princesses to serve in the Court of Queen Shenandoah XCVII for the 2024 Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival® has been announced by festival officials. The princesses include Skylar C. Brown, Caroline Wellington Drummonds, Emma Alexis Drummonds, Lily Eleanor England, and Brigid Grace McCarthy. Skylar Brown is the daughter of Gena Johnson and Travis Brown both of Gerrardstown, WV. She is the granddaughter of Cynthia Johnson of Colorado Springs, CO, Janet and Duane Brown of Gerrardstown, and the late Charles Johnson. She is a senior at Marshall University majoring in environmental science. She serves as president of the Sustainability Club and vice president of the University’s Chapter of The American Fisheries Society. She is also a member of the Collegiate Society of Black Scholars, Phi Kappa Phi Honors Society, and the National Collegiate Society of Leadership and Success (NSLS). She is on the Marshall University President’s/Dean’s lists and serves as a resident advisor. Skylar is also a Board Member of the national non-profit organization Post Landfill Action Network. She is active in her community by supporting the less fortunate as well as volunteering at food banks, shelters, and soup kitchens. Skylar is a 2021 graduate of Musselman High School. She will be working for the US Forestry Service after graduation as a forestry technician. Caroline Drummonds is the daughter of Beth and Chuck Drummonds of Winchester, VA. She is the granddaughter of Janet Riddick and Haley Drummonds both of Winchester, and the late Earl Riddick and Roy Drummonds. She is a senior at West Virginia University majoring in business marketing. She is actively involved in the John Champers Business College Peer Mentor Program and PAWS WVU. Caroline is a member of Women in Business and is a recipient of the John Chambers College Business Scholarship. She is a 2021 graduate of John Handley High School. Her mother, Beth Drummonds, served as a princess in the court of Queen Shenandoah LXII, Emily Sikking. Emma Drummonds is the daughter of Beth and Chuck Drummonds of Winchester. She is the granddaughter of Janet Riddick and Haley Drummonds both of Winchester, and the late Earl Riddick and Roy Drummonds. She is a senior at Radford University graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Business Management and Marketing. She is an ambassador for the Davis College of Business and Economics, a member of Delta Sigma Pi, serving as Chancellor, and is active in the College Mentor for Kids program. Emma is a 2021 graduate of John Handley High School. Her mother, Beth Drummonds, served as a princess in the court of Queen Shenandoah LXII, Emily Sikking. Lily England is the daughter of Amy and Robert England of Winchester. She is the granddaughter of Bob Mahrenholz of Tullahoma, TN and the late Melba Mahrenholz, Kazuko England, and Robert England. She is a second-year student at The University of Virginia majoring in kinesiology with a minor in data science. She is a member of Chi Alpha campus ministry and took a gap year during the 2022-2023 school year to serve on a mission trip to South Africa, Belize, Costa Rica, and Cuba. Lily is a 2021 graduate of John Handley High School where she was a four-year varsity letter recipient for Cross Country and served as captain her senior year. She was a member of the National Honor Society, the student representative on the Winchester Public Schools School Board, and earned her private pilot license. Brigid McCarthy is the daughter of Megan and Douglas McCarthy of Front Royal, VA. She is the granddaughter of Mariah McCarthy of Winchester, and the late R. Edward Costello, Beverley Costello, and Joseph McCarthy. She is a sophomore at Benedictine College where she is an art major and is enrolled in a pre-law track. She is a member of the yearbook committee. Brigid is a 2022 graduate of Chelsea Academy. She served as president of the student government as well as the Ballroom Dance Club and participated in the Yearbook and Journalism Club. She was also a four-year varsity volleyball letter recipient. The Princesses will accompany Queen Shenandoah XCVII and her Court to all Festival functions throughout the 97th Festival scheduled for April 26 to May 5, 2024. They will participate in the Coronation Ceremony to be held on Friday, May 3, 2024, at 1:30 p.m. at John Handley High School. They will attend the Queen's Ball and Dance Party Presented by Insurance Center Winchester, to celebrate the coronation of Queen Shenandoah XCVII to be held Friday, May 3rd beginning at 8 pm at The George Washington Hotel Ball Room. They will ride on the Royal Float in the Grand Feature Parade scheduled to begin at 1:30 p.m., Saturday, May 4, 2024.
The In-Town and Out-of-Town Miss Honorary Fire and Rescue Chief Contest will be held at 7 p.m. Saturday at Daniel Morgan Middle School in Winchester. The contest, where local fire companies are represented by a young lady aged 16 – 21, is one of the longest running Apple Blossom events. Tickets are $5 at the door. Cash and credit cards will be accepted. The 2024 In-Town Contestants The 2024 Out-Of-Town Contestants
Kara Dixon, speaker Ladies Horticultural Luncheon presented by Spring Arbor Assisted Living2/20/2024
Kara Dixon will be returning to her hometown this spring to be the guest speaker at the Ladies Horticultural Luncheon presented by Spring Arbor Assisted Living. Kara Dixon is the Deputy Director of Video Production for the Senate Democratic Media Center for the US Senate in Washington, D.C. She grew up in Winchester, Virginia and is a proud graduate of John Handley High School, where she was student government vice president and a member of the state record breaking 4x400 meter track and field relay team. Kara is also a graduate of the University of Maryland’s Philip Merrill College of Journalism. At UMD, she participated in the CBC-UNC Diversity Fellowship Program led by UNC and WRAL. During college, Kara was a member of Capital News Service and View Finder presented by the University of Maryland. Both programs won numerous regional and national awards. After graduating, Kara spent eight years working as a tv news reporter at KFDM/KBTV in Beaumont, Texas and at WAVY-TV in Hampton Roads, Virginia. She covered everything from weather to crime and hosted the political digital series "Candid with Kara..." Last summer, Kara was awarded a regional Emmy for her work at WAVY. The story, “Road to Reconciliation: Uncovering our Past” highlighted the First Baptist Church in Williamsburg, Virginia, which is believed to be one of the oldest Black churches in the United States. Kara is also involved in her community and active with diversity and young adult ministries within the Catholic church. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for the National Institute for Ministry with Young Adults. In 2020, Kara completed the Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership’s Emerging Leaders Program at the University of Virginia’s Weldon Cooper Center for Public Leadership. She is also an adjunct lecturer at the University of Maryland’s Philip Merrill College of Journalism, where she teaches video production. In her free time, she enjoys reading, watching movies, and singing karaoke. The Ladies Horticultural Luncheon presented by Spring Arbor Assisted Living will be held on Friday, May 3, 2024, at 10:30 a.m., Millwood Station Banquet Hall, 252 Costello Drive, Winchester, VA. Tickets may be obtained by calling (540) 662-3409. Stephanie Stuckey has been named the featured speaker of Valley Health Business at the Bloom Luncheon by Sharen Gromling, president of the Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival® Stephanie Stuckey is Chair of Stuckey’s, known as a highway oasis to generations of Americans. Founded in 1937 by her grandfather, W.S. Stuckey, Sr. in Eastman, Georgia, Stuckey’s grew into over 350 stores nationwide. However, the company was sold and sadly declined for decades under outside ownership. Fortunately, it’s now back in family hands thanks to Stephanie buying Stuckey’s in 2019. She and her partners purchased a candy plant in Wrens, GA in 2021 and are reviving the company as a pecan snack & candy brand. Stephanie received her BA and JD from the University of Georgia. She’s worked as a trial lawyer, a state representative, Director of Sustainability for Atlanta, and an adjunct professor at UGA’s School of Law. Stephanie’s achievements include being named one of the Most Admired CEOs of 2022 by the Atlanta Business Chronicle, 100 Most Influential Georgians by Georgia Trend Magazine, and a graduate of Leadership Atlanta. Stephanie’s book, “UnStuck” Rebirth of an American Icon,” will be released in April 2024. It is available for pre-sales on Amazon.com. When she’s not running Stuckey’s, Stephanie enjoys road tripping across America in search of the World’s Largest Ball of Twine. Valley Health Business at the Bloom Luncheon, an event for business networking, will be held Wednesday, May 1, 2024, at 11 a.m. a Tolley Dental Zone at James R. Wilkins Athletic and Events Center, 1188 Ralph Shockey Drive, Winchester, VA. Joy Elizabeth Berlanga has been named Queen Shenandoah XCVII, designate. Sharen Gromling, president of the Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival® takes great pleasure to make this announcement with the generational significance and this being the 100th anniversary of the Festival’s beginning. Joy is the daughter of Tyne Vance Berlanga, Queen Shenandoah in 2001, and the granddaughter of Susan Ford Bales, Queen Shenandoah 1975. Joy is excited to follow in the footsteps of her mother and grandmother and eagerly embraces the honor of becoming Queen Shenandoah. She has heard so many fond memories of their time in Winchester. She is thrilled to experience it herself! Joy lives in Texas with her parents, Tyne and Hector Berlanga and brother, Cruz. She is a senior at Independence High School. Her passions include gardening, an avid love for books, and finding enjoyment in building Legos. Balancing varsity volleyball and floriculture at school fuels her enthusiasm. Joy’s commitment to her academics resulted in being recognized as a National Hispanic Recognition. She is set to attend Colorado State University in the Fall to major in landscape architecture, aspiring to create beautiful and resilient outdoor spaces and gardens for years to come. The family tradition will continue at Joy’s Coronation on Friday, May 3, at 1:30 p.m. at John Handley High School. She will be crowned by her mother and grandmother. Tyne was crowned by her mother, Susan. Susan was crowned by her father, President Gerald Ford. Queen Shenandoah, designate, and the Royal Family will attend many functions during the Festival and will be riding their “Royal Float and Coaches” during the Firefighters’ and Grand Feature Parade. The Festival has been honored to have members of a family to reign as Queen Shenandoah. This is the first family to reign the stage of time from grandmother to daughter to granddaughter as Queen. Tickets for Festival events are available at www.thebloom.com. Sharen Gromling, president of the Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival® is honored to announce Ryan Dobson as the motivational speaker of the 25th Annual Prayer Brunch, presented by Knouse Foods / Musselman’s. Parenting expert Ryan Dobson grew up as the son of another parenting expert, Focus on the Family founder, Dr. James Dobson. Ryan, along with his wife Laura, speaks around the country nearly every weekend in churches, strengthening families and marriages. Dobson is also host of the REBEL Parenting Podcast. The author of six books—including multiple best-sellers—Dobson is a Radio Host, has a Top 20 iTunes podcast, has spoken before more than one million people around the world, and has appeared in numerous major media outlets including FOX News Huckabee, and The Wall Street Journal print edition. He and his wife Laura live in Colorado Springs with their two children. The Prayer Brunch presented by Knouse Foods, an interdenominational event with an inspirational message, will be held Friday, May 3, 2024, at 11 a.m. at the Winchester Church of God, 2080 N. Frederick Pike, Winchester, VA. Tickets are $45.00 and are available online at www.thebloom.com. |
About UsThe Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival®, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting the beauty of springtime and the apple blossoms in Virginia's Shenandoah Valley through events and initiatives that enhance community spirit and showcases our local agricultural heritage. Archives
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