March 6, 2026

Festival Announces Selection Of Princesses

The selection of Princesses to serve in the Court of Queen Shenandoah XCIX for the 2026 Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival® has been announced by festival officials. The princesses include Lauren MacKinnon Dennard, Mia Douglas Kern, Ava Annalise Mannarino, Sarah Elizabeth Roy, and Taylor Faith Weiss. 

Lauren MacKinnon Dennard

Lauren MacKinnon Dennard is the daughter of Amy and Keith Dennard of Winchester, VA. She is the granddaughter of Lauraly and Allan Stanford of Winter Haven, FL and the late Jan Dennard and Ivey Dennard. Lauren is a first year at the University of Virginia (UVA) where she is pursuing a degree in biology. She is an Echols scholar and member of the Club Swim team, University Dance Club, Virginia Dance Committee, and Outdoors Club, where she serves as a trip leader. Lauren is also a member of Epsilon Eta and YoungLife at UVA. Lauren is a 2025 graduate of Millbrook High School where she was the salutatorian of her class. She was a member of the Key Club and National Honor Society, where she served as co-president. She was a member of the track team, where she received the coaches award, and swim team, where she served as captain and received the coaches award. Lauren served as the historian for the Class of 2025 and was crowned the 2024 Homecoming Queen. 

Mia Douglas Kern

Mia Douglas Kern is the daughter of Shawna and Richard Kern III of Winchester. She is the granddaughter of Sherry and Terry Nails of Martinsburg, WV, Richard Kern Jr. of Winchester, and the late Terry Shimp and Gail Kern. Mia is a sophomore at James Madison University pursuing a degree in elementary education where she is a member of Phi Sigma Sigma sorority. She is a 2024 graduate of John Handley High School where she was a member of Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA) and Key Club. She was a 3-year varsity cross country letter recipient and 3-year varsity girls soccer letter recipient, serving as captain her senior year. Outside of school, Mia works for Winchester Parks & Recreation at the HIVE Summer Camp, where she gets to work with 4- and 5-year-olds. She is an avid skier, enjoys playing guitar, cooking, and baking. 

Ava Annalise Mannarino

Ava Annalise Mannarino is the daughter of Amy and Thomas Mannarino of Winchester. She is the granddaughter of Mary and Edward Gatrell of Winchester and Ann and Robert Mannarino of West Islip, NY. Ava is a Freshman at the University of Mississippi, pursuing a degree in accounting with a minor in international studies. She is a member of Alpha Delta Pi sorority and holds the title of Special Events Coordinator. She is also a member of the RebelTHON Club, raising funds and awareness for the only children’s hospital in Mississippi. Ava is a 2025 graduate of Millbrook High School where she was a member of the National Honor Society, Key Club, and DECA, where she served as Vice President of Campaigns. She was a 4-year varsity competitive cheerleading letter recipient, serving as captain and was awarded 1st Team All-District, 1st Team All-Region, and the Pioneer Award for Competition Cheerleading. While at Millbrook, she was the recipient of the Student of the Year award for Architectural Drafting and Design and Advanced Accounting, the Pioneer Spirit Award, and all 4 years the Academic Award. Ava was an Allstar Competition Cheerleader, named to the Allstar and Worlds teams, serving as co-captain and a three time top 10 D1 summit finalist. She holds the titles of Junior Miss Frederick County Fair 2022 and Preteen Miss Frederick County Fair 2020. 

Sarah Elizabeth Roy

Sarah Elizabeth Roy is the daughter of Jennifer and Charles Roy of Winchester. She is the granddaughter of Libby Heishman and John Fox of Star Tannery, VA and Dorothy and Eddie Roy of Winchester. Sarah is a freshman at Laurel Ridge Community College majoring in nursing. She is a 2025 graduate of James Wood High School. Sarah was a member of the National Honor Society and Class of 2025 Secretary. She attends Round Hill Church and volunteers at Bright Futures.

Taylor Faith Weiss

Taylor Faith Weiss is the daughter of Chrissy and Brandon Weiss of Winchester. She is the granddaughter of Ed Schlosser of Newark, DE, Brenda and Bill Weiss of North Bloomfield OH, and the late Ginny Schlosser. Taylor is a sophomore at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) where she is majoring in accounting and information systems. She is a dean’s list student, Young Life volunteer leader, student-athlete tutor for Virginia Tech Athletics, and is graduating early to complete her master’s degree and obtain her Certified Public Accountant licensure. Taylor is a 2024 graduate of Millbrook where she was a member of the National Honor Society, Key Club officer, DECA officer, and 2-year varsity volleyball letter recipient, being named a state semifinalist in 2021. 

The Princesses will accompany Queen Shenandoah XCIX and her Court to all Festival functions throughout the 99th Festival scheduled for April 24th to May 3rd, 2026. They will participate in the Coronation Ceremony to be held on Friday, May 1, 2026, 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 XCIX to be held Friday, May 1st beginning at 8:30 pm at the Winchester Country Club. They will ride on the Royal Float in the Glo Fiber Grand Feature Parade scheduled to begin at 1:30 p.m., Saturday, May 2, 2026.

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