Princesses to serve in the Court of Queen XCVII

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.

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​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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.