More than 150 people cheered on contestants at Saturday night’s Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival’s 2024 Miss In & Out of Town Honorary Fire and Rescue Chief Pageant.
The title of Miss In-Town was given to Averie Vaughn Arnica, 17, sponsored by Stephens City Volunteer Fire and Rescue, who will lead the Firefighters Parade in the Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival on May 3. Averie’s ambition is to attend college to pursue a career in Occupational Therapy. Jordyn McKenzie Brown, 18, was selected from a field of five as the 2024 Miss Out of Town Honorary Fire Chief. She represents Elkton Fire Company in Berryville. Jordyn plans on finishing her last year at Blue Ridge Community College and then would like to attend Cosmetology school and one day open her own salon. The annual contest, held at Daniel Morgan Middle School, put the contestants through categories ranging from Dress for Success, or business-wear, and gowns to sharing a personal statement about their ambitions and how they represent their fire company. During the pageant, the contestants are escorted on and off the stage by representatives from their respective fire companies. The Miss In-Town runner-up went to 18-year-old Aspen Skyy Roderick, who represented Clear Brook Volunteer Fire and Rescue. Lily Grace Carlisle, 18, representing John H. Enders Fire Company in Berryville, VA was named the Miss Out of Town runner-up. In Town Contestants Amelia Robbins, Greenwood Volunteer Fire and Rescue Averie Arnica, Stephens City Volunteer Fire and Rescue Sydney Sours, Gainesboro Volunteer Fire and Rescue Kaitlyn Breeden, Middletown Volunteer Fire and Rescue Aspen Roderick, Clear Brook Volunteer Fire and Rescue AnnaKatherine James Curren, Gore Volunteer Fire and Rescue Out of Town Contestants Abigayle Fluharty, Shepherdstown Fire Company Jordyn Brown, Elkton Fire Department Lily Carlisle, John H. Enders Fire Company Taylor Sealock, Front Royal Fire and Rescue Faith Sisler, Woodstock Fire and Rescue Company Contest co-chair Sarah Frey said the number of contestants was larger than previous years. “We saw a dip in participation from contestants and attendance in the audience during COVID, but we are now thrilled to see numbers of participants growing and more representation from more fire companies.” Co-chair Kelly Menk added, “This year’s participants represented their fire companies well and made it very difficult for the judges to pick the winners! They were passionate about giving back and inspired to do good work and help their community.” 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. The Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival® is excited to announce 7-time GRAMMY award winner, TobyMac will headline its second annual Contemporary Christian Concert, featuring 4-time GRAMMY award winner, Mac Powell and special guest Terrian. The Contemporary Christian Concert, presented by Clean Water of Virginia, will take place on Sunday, May 5, 2024 at the Tolley Dental Zone at the James R. Wilkins, Jr. Athletics & Events Center on the campus of Shenandoah University. Doors open at Noon, show starts at 2:00 pm.
TobyMac With more than 16 million units in career sales and a whopping seven GRAMMY Awards, TobyMac’s career continues on the fast track. His 2015 RIAA Certified Gold studio album, THIS IS NOT A TEST, garnered a GRAMMY Award and Billboard Music Award nomination on top of debuting at No. 4 on the Billboard Top 200. Each of his six studio solo projects have achieved Gold certification, a first for any artist in the history of his label, Capitol Christian Music Group. Among those is 2012’s EYE ON IT, which debuted atop the Billboard 200, only the third Christian album ever to do so. THE ELEMENTS, his latest GRAMMY-nominated, full collection of music, boasted “Everything,” “Scars,” “Edge of My Seat,” “See The Light” and more alongside the chart-topper, RIAA Gold Certified “I just need U.” His most recent singles, “21 Years,” “Help Is On the Way (Maybe Midnight),” “Promised Land,” “The Goodness (feat. Blessing Offor),” “Everything About You (feat. Marlee)” and “Show Up Choose Love (feat. Jon Reddick),” are available wherever you stream music, along with his GRAMMY nominated seventh studio project, LIFE AFTER DEATH. Mac Powell Mac Powell, originally from Alabama, moved to Atlanta, GA as a sophomore in high school where he would soon co-found the Christian rock band Third Day. Throughout their nearly three-decade career, the band sold over 10 million albums, earned four Grammy Awards, one American Music Award, 24 Dove Awards, and was inducted into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame. Since Third Day’s farewell tour in 2018 Mac released his debut solo Christian album NEW CREATION on October 15th, 2021 which landed at NO.1 on the Top Christian & Gospel album chart. “River of Life,” the debut single from NEW CREATION became a Top 10 hit at Christian radio followed by the multi-week title track, “New Creation,” which spent 7 weeks at NO. 2 and 19 weeks inside the top 10. Terrian Gotee Records' powerhouse vocalist Terrian recently announced her debut full-length album, GIVE IT TIME. "Waiting is something we are all familiar with," shares Terrian about her new song and title track. "Waiting brings our lack of trust in God, our insecurities, pride, fears and worries all to the surface. Sometimes, we don't realize all of that is hiding in us. Yet, the Lord uses it to show us that while we're waiting, it's not just the outcome He's concerned with, it's seeing us whole. Seeing us fully surrendered to Him. Seeing us lay down sins we've held on to for too long. Let the Holy Spirit transform you while you wait. Give it time, friends, He sees. He most certainly knows." The title track of her new album received elite placement on digital playlists release week including Spotify's New Music Friday list along with their New Music Friday Christian and Top Christian & Gospel lists. At Pandora, Terrian graced the cover art of the Coffeehouse Christian list and featured on the New Christian Music Now list. Amazon gave her the No. 1 spot on Amazon Music's Fresh Christian playlist as well as the cover of the Fresh Christian list. Her new album will also feature Terrian's latest radio single, "Big God," a Top 25 Christian AC single receiving airplay from more than 40 AC stations including the K-LOVE network and SiriusXM's The Message. Named as Pandora's Artist to Watch in 2021, Terrian has been building to this album debut. Receiving her first No. 1 single for "Light It Up" in 2021 when she released her debut EP, Genesis of Terrian, Terrian has developed her own unique style. She is currently on tour with TobyMac and the Diverse City band this month with MercyMe and Zach Williams. She will also be part of the 2024 "TobyMac Hits Deep Tour" with Cory Asbury, Mac Powell, Tasha Layton, and Gotee Records label-mate Jon Reddick. Tickets go on sale for the Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival® Contemporary Christian Concert, presented by Clean Water of Virginia at 9:00 AM on Monday, January 29, 2024. Ticket prices range from $25 to $100 and are available for purchase at www.thebloom.com. Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival® President, Sharen Gromling, is pleased to announce that American Idol Season 19 winner, Chayce Beckham will headline the Malloy Toyota Country Music Party, presented by Shenandoah Country Q102 with special guest Davisson Brothers Band. The Country Music Party will take place on Saturday, May 4, 2024 at the Tolley Dental Zone at the James R. Wilkins, Jr. Athletics & Events Center on the campus of Shenandoah University. Doors open at 7:00 pm, show starts at 8:00 pm.
President, Sharen Gromling states, “The 2024 Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival’s Country Music Party lineup continues a longstanding tradition of showcasing rising stars in county music.” Chayce Beckham Chayce Beckham is one of the most buzzed about newcomers in country music today, having won over millions of hearts while competing on Season 19 of American Idol. From the first audition, superstar Katy Perry highlighted how Chayce's gravely vocals sound like “the heart of America.” Armed with a determination to make something of himself and the unwavering support of his family, Chayce auditioned for the competition show after undergoing a particularly difficult year to ultimately become the first-ever show winner to claim the title with an original song—kickstarting his journey to fulfilling his lifelong dream of becoming a singer, songwriter and entertainer. Following his first time onstage after performing in his fifth-grade talent show, the southern Californian began teaching himself guitar—eventually finding his way into a Reggae band (while earning his wages at a construction equipment rental company). Influenced by artists such as Chris Stapleton, Tyler Childers, and Kolton Moore & The Clever Few, and knowing that country music was where his heart called home, Chayce turned to Instagram as a creative outlet for his more intimate songs, sharing his original material. With his family, his hometown of Apple Valley and now America behind him, the mellow 24-year-old with the alluring rasp released his debut song, "23." The song is a semi-autobiographical account of his struggles with alcohol and of the lows it can take a person. After its May release, the song quickly earned the top spot on both the iTunes Country and all genre charts. Now signed to 19 Recordings in partnership with BBR Music Group/Wheelhouse Records and finding his home in Nashville, Chayce is ready to dig into new music and share his signature sound with his legions of fans. Davisson Brothers Band The Davisson Brothers Band are a genre-blurring mountain rock band formed in Clarksburg, West Virginia, by Chris and Donnie Davisson. Along with nephew Gerrod Bee and life-long family friend Aaron Regester, the band has created a uniquely authentic Appalachian country sound, which has helped them grow into one of the most successful independent acts in the world. Since their founding in 2006, the band has recorded three albums, been celebrated as a Highway Find on Sirius XM, charted on country radio with “Foot Stompin’” and scored a hit song in Australia with “Po’ Boyz,” while also earning a dedicated following in the Jam Band/Bluegrass scene and standing shoulder to shoulder with mainstream country stars at festivals like CMC Rocks (Australia) and the Carolina Country Fest. Their latest album, Home Is Where the Heart Is, was produced by Brent Cobb and David “Ferg” Ferguson, and features Tim O’Brien, Rob McCoury, Stewart Duncan, Leftover Salmon’s Vince Herman, Ronnie Bowman, Kyle Tuttle, Lindsay Lou and more. Tickets go on sale for the Malloy Toyota Country Music Party, presented by Shenandoah Country Q102 at 9:00 AM on Monday, January 29, 2024. VIP tickets are $55.00 and general admission tickets are $40.00. VIP tickets include premium reserved seats and special entrance to avoid the long lines. General admission is also reserved seating. Tickets will be available at www.thebloom.com. Be sure to listen to Shenandoah Country Q102 daily for concert updates and special ticket giveaways! The Miss Apple Blossom and Miss Apple Blossom Teen Competition, presented by FNB Bank will be held at 7:00 pm on January 27, 2024, at Daniel Morgan Middle School, 48 S Purcell Ave, Winchester, VA. The winners will serve as hostesses for the 97th Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival® from April 26-May 5, 2024. They will visit numerous events and ride in the Firefighters’ Parade Friday, May 3rd and Grand feature Parade Saturday, May 4th. The winner of the Miss Apple Blossom Festival and Miss Apple Blossom Teen will go on to compete at the 2024 Miss Virginia Competition. 2024 Miss Apple Blossom delegate
2024 Miss Apple Blossom Teen delegate |
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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