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 Rachel Marie Foltz, Ariel Lynn Helmick, Madison Shae Ruff, Teresa Claire Schloemer, and Noelle Caroline Whalen.
Rachel Foltz
Rachel Foltz is the daughter of Pamela & Jeff Foltz of Cross Junction, VA. She is the granddaughter of Lou Foltz of Winchester, VA, and the late Janice Kingree, Brown Kingree Sr., and Fay Ganteel. She is a senior at James Wood High School, representing The Virginia Horticultural Society. Rachel is an honor roll student, a member of the National Honor Society, and Future Farmers of America (FFA). She enjoys the outdoors, spending time with family and friends as well as working on her family’s farm. Rachel hopes to pursue a career in agriculture.
Ariel Helmick
Ariel Helmick is the daughter of Melissa Helmick and stepdaughter of Daniel Copenhaver, Jr. of Winchester, and the daughter of the late Jason McBride. She is the granddaughter of Robin and Michael Frank of Cross Junction, Donald Lee McBride Sr. of Winchester, and the step-granddaughter of Rhonda and Daniel S. Copenhaver Sr. of Winchester. Ariel is a junior at Huntingdon College in Montgomery, AL majoring in psychology and criminal justice. She is a member of the Indoor Volleyball and Beach Volleyball team, for which she was nominated Rookie of the Week for Collegiate Conference of the South. She is also a member of the Chi Omega (Lambda Kappa) Sorority and a representative of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee. She is a 2022 graduate of Millbrook High School where she received recognition for K-12 perfect attendance. She was a member of the varsity volleyball team and was named to 1st Team All District, 1st Team All Regional, and 1st Team All Area. Ariel was a member of Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA), Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA), Key Club, and the Homecoming Court. While in high school, she volunteered 100 hours in 1 year at the Boys and Girls Club of the Shenandoah Valley. In her free time, she enjoys hiking.
Madison Ruff
Madison Ruff is the daughter of Kimberly and Tobin Ruff of Leesburg, VA. She is the granddaughter of Judee and Michael Delancey of Leesburg, Valerie and Paul Dannels of Hamilton, MT, Jo Ruff of Las Vegas, NV, and the late Rueben Ruff. She is a senior representing Loudoun County High School. Madison is President of the Student Council, President of French Club, and a member of the National Honor Society and Science National Honor Society. She serves as the student representative to the Loudoun County School Board and is the Co-Founder and Co-President of the Black Student Union at Loudoun County High School. Madison’s community involvement includes service as the secretary of the Douglass Center community advisory board and helping with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Student Visionaries of the Year fundraiser. She works as a manager at Tuscarora Mill, pool lifeguard, and is a volunteer coach for U14, U15, and U16 volleyball teams.
Tess Schloemer
Teresa “Tess” Schloemer is the daughter of Beth and Mark Schloemer of Winchester. She is the granddaughter of Wilhelmine Schloemer of Winchester, and the late Joanne and Robert Seale and Carl Schloemer. Tess is a junior at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) where she majors in wildlife conservation. She attended the Classical Cottage Consortium and was homeschooled through her graduation in 2022. She was a Dean’s List student, a member of the Latin Honor Society, and captain of the Eukarya varsity soccer team. Tess was named a Governor’s Scholar and Outstanding Young Woman of the Year 2022 by Virginia Knights of Columbus Council. She has volunteered with the Work Camp for the Diocese of Arlington and Blue Ridge Center for Therapeutic Horsemanship. In her free time, she enjoys horseback riding, sewing, painting, and playing soccer.
Noelle Whalen is the daughter of Gabrielle and Michael Whalen of Berryville, VA. She is the granddaughter of Mary and Bill Veilleux of Winchester, Therese Lafond of Bogota, NJ, Carol Whalen of West Barnstable, MA, and the late John Lafond and William Whalen. She is representing the Clarke County Ruritan Club and is a junior at Clarke County High School. She is a member of the varsity soccer team, varsity swim team, varsity cheer team, and varsity tennis team. She serves as president of the Dairy Club, is a member of the Future Farmers of America (FFA), the 4 H Club, and Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA). Noelle hopes to pursue nursing after graduation.
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.
