2025 Queen of Candles Court 

Back Row: Luciana Martinez, Crystal Kirui, Mia Pautz, Maeve Zee, Shelby Kline, Victoria Kolawa, Hannah Burkholder

Middle Row: Ruby Cesarini, McKenna Snavely, Hailee Adams, Adalyn Zimmerman, Ella Shirk

Front Row: Jack Rhoads (Crown Bearer)  Charlotte Gamble (Flower Girl)


This year marks the 84th  Queen of the Candles Pageant. The Pageant is sponsored by and arranged by the Lititz Woman’s Club. Twelve young ladies, all members of the Warwick High School Class of 2025, 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.


Hailee Adams

During her senior year Hailee was a member of the National Business Honor Society and the National Spanish Honor Society. Hailee played field hockey for Warwick’s varsity team and the Alleycats club team. She worked at Dosie Dough. Hailee plans to attend Saint Francis University in the fall where she will play field hockey while majoring in Marketing. Hailee’s favorite high school memory was winning the field hockey state and district championships her senior year.  It was an amazing experience to have with all of her teammates and best friends. It was a season to remember and part of her life that she will never forget. Hailee is the daughter of Maggie and Brian Adams.


Hannah Alyse Burkholder

Hannah is honored to be selected on the 2025 Queen of Candles Court. During Hannah’s senior year she was a member of the National Honor Society, Spanish National Honor Society, and Student Council. She was a member of the Warwick girls soccer team and was recognized as an academic all-star. Hannah played lacrosse and served as team captain. She played club soccer for the Lancaster Elite Aztecs. She was a volunteer coach for Warwick soccer and lacrosse youth camps as well as an assistant coach for a U9 Lancaster Elite girls soccer team. She worked at Copper Cup and New Holland Coffee Company during her senior year. Hannah will be attending Penn State University in the fall with plans to study Elementary Education. Hannah’s favorite high school memory was playing sports with her friends throughout her high school years. Hannah is the daughter of Kelly and Seth Burkholder.


Ruby Cesarini

During her senior year, Ruby was an active member of the National Honor Society and the Computer Science Honor Society. Last fall, Ruby was co-captain of the Cross Country team and was honored to receive a Scholar-Athlete Award at the end of the season. In addition, she competed with the winter and spring track teams, where she also served as captain. Ruby was a Link Crew leader, head editor of the yearbook and a member of the Live Broadcasting Club. She also played viola in the orchestra and sang in the chorus. After high school, Ruby plans to attend Penn State University to major in Telecommunications and Media Industries. Ruby’s favorite high school memory was the annual cross country summer camp she attended in August with her teammates. It was a week filled with distance runs, hiking, laughter, and team bonding. She will cherish the wonderful memories she made with some of her closest friends. Ruby is the daughter of Heidi and Dino Cesarini.


Crystal Kirui

Throughout high school Crystal had a strong interest in science and the arts.  She served as president of the Science National Honor Society and was involved in the Science Olympiad for several years. Crystal’s senior year microbiology research earned first place categorical awards at regional competitions, including NMSEF and PJAS. She was also a member of National Honor Society, sang in all of the chorus ensembles and played the violin in both the orchestra and musical pit orchestra. In the fall Crystal plans to attend the University of Pittsburgh to study biochemistry on a pre-medicine track. Crystal’s favorite memory was as a member of the marching band during her sophomore year and competing for the championship at Hershey Stadium. She will never forget the screams of joy when they won first place. Crystal is the daughter of Joylynn and Erik Kirui.


Shelby Kline

Throughout Shelby’s senior year she was on the Distinguished Honor Roll. She was vice president of National Business Honor Society and treasurer of the Future Business Leaders of America club. Shelby was also a student council representative, a member of PALs, Link Crew, Unite Club and National Honor Society. Shelby played on Warwick’s field hockey team and helped with the Unified Track team. She is a member of the youth group at Middle Creek Church and enjoys working at New Holland Coffee Company as a barista. One of her accomplishments this year was being named October Senior of the Month for Lititz Woman’s Club. Shelby is very excited to be attending Walk with Scissors, a Nathan Walk Cosmetology Academy, in the fall to become a hairstylist. Shelby’s favorite high school memory was winning the state and district field hockey championship with her teammates. She is grateful for the friendships field hockey brought to her life. Shelby is the daughter of Kim and Jason Kline.


Victoria Kolawa

During her senior year, Victoria was a member of the National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society and secretary for both the Student Council and Science National Honor Society. She played violin in the orchestra and sang in the chorus.  Victoria was captain for Warwick’s field hockey, wrestling and lacrosse teams. She is a member of St. Mary’s youth group and will be attending Loyola University in the fall to major in Biology with a concentration in pre-med. Victoria’s favorite high school memory was field hockey’s postseason, especially winning the state championship. Victoria is the daughter of Anastasia and Rafal Kolawa.


Luciana Martinez

As a senior Luci was the president of the Spanish Honor Society, president of the school choir,  treasurer of Tri-M Music Honor Society and a Link Crew leader. She was active in the school’s Show Choir, Chamber Choir and participated in the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association district, region and all state chorus. In the fall Luci will be attending the Catholic University of America to major in music and business. Luci’s favorite high school memory was sophomore year when she attended her first all-state choir. It became an unforgettable memory that encouraged her to pursue her passion for music and brought her closer to her friends. Luci is the daughter of Rosa and Javier Martinez.


Mia Pautz

During her senior year Mia served as the leader of PALs, a committee leader for the Unite Club and a student council representative. She was a member of National Honor Society, Science Honor Society, History Honor Society and secretary for Spanish Honor Society. Mia played varsity soccer and participated in Inferno Travel Soccer. She enjoyed volunteering with Special Olympics, youth soccer camps, and Schreiber Pediatrics. After graduation Mia plans to study neuroscience at Virginia Tech, with the aspiration of earning her PhD in drug discovery. She hopes to one day contribute to the development of treatments for brain-related diseases.  Mia’s favorite high school memory is meeting some of her best friends through soccer and her classes at Warwick. The friendships she formed and the memories they made together created experiences that will last a lifetime. Mia is the daughter of Pam and Mike Pautz.


Ella Shirk

This past year Ella was captain of the Warwick soccer team, a member of National Business Honor Society and FBLA. As a senior she was on the Distinguished Honor Roll, was a teacher assistant at John Beck Elementary and part of the Hosh Posh Senior Impact team. Ella is employed by 32 Below Ice Cream Shop and babysits for a lovely Lititz family.  Ella will continue to play soccer at Penn State Harrisburg  and major in early childhood education. Ella’s favorite high school memory was playing her final season of high school soccer with the same girls she has been playing with since tenth grade. Ella is the daughter of Julie and Mike Shirk.


McKenna Snavely

This past year McKenna was an honor roll student and a member of the National Art Honor Society and the National Business Honor Society.  Both organizations provided opportunities for McKenna to volunteer. She enjoyed painting the sets for the school musical, the  Wizard of Oz, and visiting with residents at local retirement homes. McKenna continues to volunteer as a Sunday school helper at her church. McKenna was a varsity starter and captain of Warwick’s soccer team this past fall. She also played for the Lancaster Inferno Academy team. McKenna obtained first aid and CPR/AED certification and works as a lifeguard. McKenna will attend Millersville University to study business administration and psychology while playing Division II soccer. Her favorite high school memory was playing soccer with her best friends and all the new people she met along the way.  McKenna’s parents are Lindsey and Matthew Snavely.


Maeve Zee

During Maeve’s senior year, she was president of the National Honor Society, class vice president, and a Distinguished Honor Roll student. She was a player on this year’s field hockey team that won the Section, District, and State Championships and was recognized as an NFHCA National Academic Squad Scholar of Distinction as well as an LL league all-star. Maeve was also a member of the Spanish National Honor Society, the Science National Honor Society, the History National Honor Society, Link Crew, PALS and Unite. Outside of school Maeve attends St. Mary’s youth group, where she participated in Works of Mercy Week over the summer. She also plays club field hockey for the Alleycats in Palmyra and will continue to play field hockey in college. Maeve will be attending Washington and Lee University where she will major in neuroscience. Maeve’s favorite high school memory is winning the PIAA AA  State Championship with her team this past fall. She loved having the opportunity to play alongside her best friends and it is something she will never forget. Maeve is the daughter of Seana Zee.


Adalyn Zimmerman

During Adalyn’s senior year she was captain of the Warwick field hockey team and received All American Honors.  She is a member of the National Business Honor Society, FBLA and Link Crew. She was on Distinguished Honor Roll and was part of the Hosh Posh Senior  Impact team. Adalyn is an employee at 32 Below Ice Cream Shop and attends church at LEFC and youth group at Manheim BIC.  After high school Adalyn plans to attend cosmetology school at Walk with Scissors to become a hairstylist. Adalyn’s favorite high school memory was winning the field hockey state championship with her best friends that she had been playing with for years. Adalyn is the daughter of Kate and Brad Zimmerman.


 Farah Abrahem, 2024 Queen of Candles

Farah is attending Temple University and studying bioengineering.  During her first year at Temple she made the dean’s list.  When not studying, Farah participated in a book club and joined the executive board of the Arab Society. She also enjoyed exploring new places in Philadelphia. One of Farah’s favorite things this past year was meeting new people. This summer Farah is excited to spend time in Lititz and return to Temple to complete Resident Assistance training.  Farah wishes everyone a happy Independence Day.


Charlotte Ann Gamble, Flower Girl

Charlotte is a creative seven year old who loves all things art. One of her favorite activities is to draw, especially animals like penguins, axolotl, and foxes.  She also loves crafting, using clay and making her own jewelry. When she isn’t working on her art, Charlotte loves spending time in the backyard with her sister Zoe and taking her dog Buck on a long walk to Zig’s Bakery. Some of her favorite childhood memories include vacations to Cape May, spending a week with all of her cousins at Long Beach Island and enjoying the rides at Hersheypark.  When she grows up, Charlotte wants to become a teacher so she can help others. Charlotte is the daughter of Amanda and Kyle Gamble.


Jack Barry Rhoads, Crown Bearer 

Jack is a genuine, compassionate and hardworking first grade student.He loves his family, his friends and the Buffalo Bills. On most days after school you will find Jack at the high school track cheering on the athletes his dad coaches on Warwick’s Track and Field team. His summer days are spent at Woodridge Swim Club.  He has participated in Warwick Little League,  Warwick Wrestling and Kids Choir at Calvary Church. Jack’s kind heart  and compassion for others makes him a joy to be around. Jack is the son of Brooke and Bobby Rhoads.

Photos by Dennis Bixler