Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival Announces First Round of Princesses

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.