QUEEN OF THE CANDLES

This year marks the 83rd Queen of the Candles Pageant. The Pageant is sponsored by Listrak and arranged by the Lititz Women’s Club. Twelve young ladies, all members of the Warwick High School Class of 2024, are selected by their classmates through a secret ballot. 

The individual who received the most votes serves as the Queen, and the others as her Court. The honor of being chosen as the Queen remains a secret until the 

last moment of the Pageant when the floral arrangement is placed upon her head. The newly crowned Queen lights her candle and lights the candles of her Court. Lititz Boy Scouts light their torches from the lighted candles and pass the light to those who will light the colossal display of over 4,500 candles that create the grand illumination of the Park.

Farah Abrahem

During Farah’s senior year, she was class treasurer, Vice President of the National Honor Society and Spanish National Honor Society, and a member of Link Crew. She played tennis this year and earned a varsity letter. Farah was recognized as Lititz Rotary’s Student of the Month in February of this year. Her plans after high school involve attending college to major in engineering. Her favorite high school memory was traveling to Costa Rica during senior year with her classmates. For Farah, it was an amazing opportunity to learn about the environment, gain new experiences, and work on her Spanish. Farah is the daughter of Azza Moawad and Abdelsalem Abrahem.

Katie Mae Becker

During Katie’s senior year, she has been a member of the National Honor Society, the National Business Honor Society, Future Business Leaders of America, and the Pals Club. In the Fall, she was on the cross-country team. Katie also was on the winter Indoor Track and Field Team and was a state medalist in the high jump. During the spring track season, Katie was one of the captains and was nominated for the Brackbill Athletic Scholar Award. Katie attends Victory Church. She has remained on the distinguished honor roll throughout her senior year. Katie plans on attending Penn State University next year to major in business and compete with their varsity track team. Katie’s favorite memory was being able to play sports throughout her high school career. Katie is the daughter of Megan and Kevin Becker.

Zoe Buchanan

Through Zoe’s senior year, she has been a Distinguished Honor Roll student. She has served as a Vice President for concert choir and the National French Honor Society. She is a member of the English, Art, Computer Science, and National Honor Societies. She participated in the Orchestra, Show Choir, Chamber Choir, String Synergy, Warwick’s Musical, and PMEA choir at district, regional, and All-State levels. Zoe served as the co-captain for the Warriorettes Dance Team. She is the co-founder and co-president of Warwick’s Poetry Club. She is an active member of the St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church youth group, where she participated in volunteer events such as Empty Bowls, VBS, and mission trips. At church, Zoe also volunteers in the choir and as a cantor. In August, Zoe will move to Valencia, Spain, to attend Berklee College of Music and pursue a degree in Music Education. Her favorite Lititz Community memory is the tree lighting held each December. The star-shaped street lights, winter weather, and caroling hold a special place in her heart that she will never forget. Zoe is the daughter of Kristen and Zachary Buchanan.

Carly Jo Evans

Carly is excited to join the long-standing Queen of Candles Lititz tradition! During Carly’s senior year, she was a member of the National Honor Society, National English Honor Society, Tri-M Music Honor Society, and National Art Honor Society, where she served as president. She spent her school year interning at the Fulton Theatre, where she nurtured her passion for music and drama. Often found performing in local community theaters, Carly rounded out her senior year by playing Little Red Riding Hood in Warwick’s production of “Into the Woods.” Carly will attend Muhlenberg College in the Fall to double major in Film Studies and Theatre, with a concentration in acting. Her favorite Lititz community event was the 2023 Halloween Parade because the National Art Honor Society, with the help of Ms. Miller, won first place! Carly is the daughter of Hank and Amy Evans.

Sidoney Lone Freeman

During Sidoney’s senior year, she has been an active member of Link Crew and the National Honor Society. She is president of the Spanish Honor Society and Secretary of the Class of 2024. Additionally, she has achieved distinguished honor roll throughout high school. Sidoney was co-captain of the Warwick Cross Country team this past season and is part of the Track and Field team. She was awarded the 2nd-team All-Star and Scholar-Athlete awards during cross country. Sidoney is also a member of the dance company Cojomotion at Lititz Academy of Dance. During football season, she was voted Homecoming Queen by her classmates. After graduation, she plans to continue her academic career at the College of Charleston as a student in the honors college. Sidoney intends to major in arts management and continue dancing. Sidoney’s favorite Lititz Community event is the annual 4th of July Celebration. Since she was in a stroller, she has come to see the one-of-a-kind firework show, support past alums in the Queen of Candles, and celebrate her favorite holiday surrounded by the people she loves most. Seeing the community’s excitement on a hot summer evening is a memory she’ll forever cherish. Sidoney is the daughter of Bryna Freeman.

Payton Faith Gooding

Throughout Payton’s senior year, she participated in various academic and extracurricular activities, including the Spanish, English, and Computer Science National Honor Societies. Payton served as the senior class president and has been on the distinguished honor roll. This year, Payton was a team captain for the Warwick girls’ soccer program and was recognized as an academic all-star. Additionally, she had the pleasure of helping with the girls’ soccer youth camp. Payton will be attending Savannah College of Art and Design to major in Film and Television in hopes of pursuing a career in directing. One of Payton’s favorite high school memories was when the seniors defeated the juniors in this year’s annual powder puff game. It was one of the most exciting victories at Warwick! Payton is the daughter of Reed and Michelle Gooding.

Autumn Marie Horst

During Autumn’s senior year, she was vice president of the senior class and a member of the National Honor Society. National Art Honor Society, and Link Crew. She was one of the varsity girls’ soccer team captains and received the LL League Section 1 First Team All-Star award. Autumn was on the distinguished honor roll throughout her senior year. She works as a hostess at Appalachian Brewing Company. She plans to attend Virginia Wesleyan University to continue playing soccer and majoring in elementary education. Autumn’s favorite memory of high school is her junior year soccer season. The team had a very successful season, and she got to experience it with her best teammates. Autumn is the daughter of Amy and Jeremy Horst.

Olivia Grace Keeney

During Olivia’s senior year, she was a member of Link Crew, the National Honor Society, the National Art Honor Society, the National Business Honor Society, Unite Club, Future Business Leaders of America, and was also the Student Council Treasurer. Olivia was a player on the Warwick Girls Soccer and Lacrosse Teams and, this year had the honor of being a co-captain for the lacrosse team. She has remained on the distinguished honor roll throughout her senior year. Olivia has also had the opportunity to volunteer with Toys for Tots during the holiday season and help with the Warwick girls’ soccer and lacrosse youth camps. Her plans include attending Elizabethtown College to major in accounting and playing lacrosse. Olivia’s favorite high school memory is playing lacrosse with some of her best friends. Olivia is the daughter of Robert and Wendi Keeney.

Kendall Paige Mentzer

During Kendall’s senior year, she participated in various clubs and activities, such as Pals, Link Crew, Concert Choir, National Honor Society, and the Unified Track Team. As a member of the National Honor Society, she has volunteered at various events, such as playing games at Luther Acres and making crafts at Moravian Manor. She has also assisted at Special Olympics events and given back to families during times of need, such as holidays like Christmas. Kendall currently works at Luther Acres as a dietary aide. One of her accomplishments this year was being named March Senior of the Month for the Lititz Women’s Club. She has carried and maintained distinguished honor roll status throughout high school. Kendall’s plans include attending York College of PA for nursing to become a couplet-care nurse who works with mothers and newborns after delivery. Kendall’s favorite high school memory was traveling to Disney World as a part of Warwick’s music department to perform as a member of the concert choir at Disney Springs in April of her junior year. Kendall is the daughter of Brandon Mentzer and Heidi Mentzer.

Madison Grace Moline

During Madison’s senior year, she was president of the National Honor Society and a member of the Student Council, Unite Club, Spanish Honor Society, and Link Crew. She was co-captain of the Varsity Field Hockey team. She received the LL League Section 1 Second Team All-Star award and the Academic All-Conference Award. She was on the distinguished honor roll throughout her senior year. She was selected as the Lititz Woman’s Club November Senior of the Month. Madison works at Isabella’s Ice Cream Parlor. Her plans include attending East Stroudsburg University, where she will study exercise science and continue playing field hockey. Madison’s favorite high school memory is advancing to the state semifinals with her field hockey teammates during her senior year. Making it to the semifinals was an exciting accomplishment for Madison and her teammates, and it was a special season that she won’t forget. Madison is the daughter of Chad and Katy Moline.

Lilah Petersheim

As a senior at Warwick High School, Lilah participated in many clubs, including Future Business Leaders of America, where she was vice president, National Honor Society, and Spanish Honor Society. Lilah was one of the captains of the Warriorettes Dance Team. This past year, she took numerous AP classes, completed dual enrollment through HACC, and was a teacher’s assistant for anatomy classes. Outside of school, Lilah spent the year as a teacher and competitive dancer at Pulse Dance Studio and a performer at American Music Theatre. She also enjoyed volunteering with the two-year-old class at her church and being a substitute dance teacher at the Lititz Rec Center. Lilah plans to attend Penn State University, majoring in Kinesiology and dancing on the Lionettes Dance Team. Lilah’s favorite Lititz Community event is Lititz Fire and Ice because she enjoys seeing the beautiful ice sculptures, eating all the delicious food, and watching the fire shows with her friends and family. Lilah is the daughter of Anthony and Kerri Petersheim.

Caitlin Piehl

Throughout Caitlin’s senior year, she has been a member of the National Honor Society and National Art Honor Society and a committee leader for Warwick’s Unite Club. She has also cheered competitively and been a part of Warwick’s cheerleading team. Two of her favorite volunteer events from this year were dancing with the Special Olympics members at their annual dance and face painting at children’s events. Caitlin has also worked at Panera and maintained distinguished honor roll throughout her senior year. After high school, she plans to attend Louisiana State University to further her education in Elementary Education. Caitlin’s favorite high school memory was advancing to finals in Florida with her competitive cheerleading team. Advancing to the finals was a significant accomplishment as they were the first team in her gym to do so. Caitlin is the daughter of Amy and Alex Piehl.

Piper Hepler

2023 Queen of Candles

Piper is attending James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia, majoring in Media Arts and Design and minoring in sports communications. During her first year at JMU, Piper was a sports reporter for  Breeze TV, JMU’s student-run news organization. Through this, she gained experience in the reporting world, covering JMU’s growing athletic presence, and even met Pat McAfee during ESPN’s College GameDay visit to James Madison in November. Piper also joined Dancing Dukes, a club allowing her to continue her passion for dance at school. While Piper loves JMU and her new experiences there, Lititz will always hold a special place in her heart, and she is incredibly proud to call it home. Piper is the daughter of Tim and Dawn Hepler.

Sadie Alexandra Miller

Flower Girl

Sadie is very active in sports. She has played soccer for Lititz Youth Soccer Club for three years and just participated in her first field hockey season at the Nook. Away from the sports field, you can find her riding her bike through the neighborhood, building fairy gardens, and spending summers at Woodridge Swim Club. Some of Sadie’s favorite childhood memories are family vacations to Disney World and the Outer Banks. While she loves meeting new people and making new friends, her best friend is her 3-year-old Boxer, Mocha. When Sadie grows up, she wants to be a teacher, just like her first-grade teacher, Mrs. Jo. Sadie is the daughter of Aaron and Tiffany Miller.

Trent Nathaniel Martin

Crown Bearer

Trent turned 7 in November of his first-grade year. He is often found outside riding his bike or playing games with his brother, sister, and neighbors. Yet, his favorite pastime is playing video games with his brother and father. Trent is also dedicated to playing piano and lacrosse. People who know him best describe him as a thoughtful, fun-loving kid who is easy to be around. Since Trent is interested in science,  you might see him grow up as a research scientist working with turtles. Until Trent grows up, he will spend as much time as possible vacationing with his family and going to amusement parks. Trent is the son of Joshua and Valerie Martin.