Home to the second oldest consecutive celebration
of America’s Independence in the United States!
The 209th July 4th Celebration in
Lititz Springs Park will take place on Saturday, July 4th 2026.
QUEENOF THECANDLES
SPONSORED BY THE LITITZ WOMAN’S CLUB
Photos by Dennis Bicksler
2026 Queen of Candles Court
Back Row (your left to right): Lyla Brenner, Emma Johnsen, Madelyn Myers, Adriana Kolawa, Vera Roth, Isabel Thacker, Leah Richie
Second Row (your left to right): Emily Hoover, Brianne Eberly, Katie Burr, Lilly Bromirski, Annalaye Glenn
Front Row: Layla LaSanta (flower girl), Jackson Hess (crown bearer)
This year marks the 85th 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 2026, 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.
Lyla Paige Brenner
Lyla Brenner is an active student and community member who has demonstrated leadership and service throughout high school. She was a member of the Dance Dynamix competitive team and a four-year varsity tennis player at Warwick, serving as team captain her senior year. Lyla participated in the National Honor Society, National Spanish Honor Society, and NationalEnglish Honor Society, as well as Link Crew and Student Council. She was honored as the Lititz Woman’s Club Senior of the Month for April. Outside of school, Lyla was involved in the St.Paul youth group, contributing to volunteer efforts locally and in cities such as Philadelphia and New Orleans, and she works as a hostess at The Log Cabin Restaurant. Lyla plans to attend theUniversity of Delaware to study biology with a minor in Spanish, and later pursue dental school. Lyla is the daughter of Catherine Brenner and James & Marion Brenner. Lyla’s favorite Fourth of July memory is walking around the park and enjoying the fireworks with her friends and boyfriend.
Lillia Grace Bromirski
During Lilly’s senior year, she was president of the National Honor Society and a member of the
Science National Honor Society, Student Council, Future Business Leaders of America, Link
Crew, Unite, PALS, and the Warrior Advisory Council. She enjoyed being a varsity player on
Warwick’s Field Hockey Team, where she received the Academic All-Star award. Additionally,
she was on Warwick’s indoor and outdoor Track and Field Teams, and was nominated for the
Brackbill Athletic Scholar Award. She achieved distinguished honor roll throughout high
school. She was honored to be selected as the Lititz Woman’s Club February Senior of the
Month. Outside of school, Lilly spends her time at Woodridge Swim Club working as a manager
and swim instructor, and volunteers as a youth field hockey coach. She is excited to attend
Duquesne University, where she will take part in their 5-year accelerated Physician Assistant
Program. Lilly’s favorite Fourth of July memory is watching all the candles in the park be lit before heading to watch the fireworks with family and friends. Lilly is the daughter of Michael and Sarah Bromirski.
Kaitlyn Nicole Burr
This past year Katie served as Senior Class President, and was a member of National Honor Society, National Science Honor Society and earned Distinguished Honor Roll. She was awarded Volleyball LL- League All Star, and was this year’s Homecoming Queen. Katie was a leader in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and was also a member of bible study, yearbook, Warwick Advisory Council, and Grace Point Youth Group. She was captain of the varsity girls volleyball team, and played volleyball for PA Elite, Warwick varsity softball, and was manager for Warwick’s boys volleyball team. Katie plans to attend St. Joseph’s University to pursue a degree in nursing while working at Lancaster General Hospital. Katie’s favorite Fourth of July memory is attending a national youth conference four years ago in Tampa Bay Florida and watching the fireworks from a skyscraper. Katie is the daughter of Matthew and Amy Burr.
Brianne Noelle Eberly
During Brianne’s senior year of high school she was a varsity player on the Warwick girls tennis team and served as a ‘buddy’ for the Unified Track Team. She held the position of vice president for the National Art Honor’s Society and was awarded Art Student of the Month for March. She earned Distinguished Honor Roll during her senior year. Outside of school, Brianne attends Lancaster Evangelical Free Church and is active in the church’s youth group, and serves in the children’s ministry on Sunday mornings. She works at Harvest Lane Farm Market and just recently started a second job at New Holland Coffee Company. Her post-graduation plan is to attend Walk With Scissors Cosmetology Academy and become a licensed cosmetologist. Brianne’s favorite Fourth of July memory is seeing the fire balls for the first time and seeing her Dad's excited reaction to it. Brianne is the daughter of Fred and Tonya Eberly.
Annalaye Nhi Glenn
During Annalaye’s senior year, she was a part of the Warwick varsity field hockey team and the
Warwick winter and spring track and field team. In school, she has been an active member of
the National Honor Society, the Spanish National Honor Society, and the Tri-M Music Honor
Society. She has received Distinguished Honor Roll for the past four years of high school, and
received Art Student of the Month for November. Outside of school, she attends St. James Parish and assists with Scouting for Food every year. In the future, she plans to attend Messiah University to receive a bachelor's degree in elementary education. Annalaye’s favorite Fourth of July memory is spending time with family and friends and watching the parade. Annalaye is the daughter of Eric and Huong Glenn.
Emily Jane Hoover
During Emily’s senior year, she was an active member of National Honor Society, National Spanish Honor Society, National English Honor Society, and Tri-M Music Honor Society, as well as Link Crew and Student Council where she served as vice president. She also participated in many music ensembles including, show choir, chamber choir, concert choir, band, orchestra, and the spring musical. Emily was on Distinguished Honor Roll for the entirety of her high school career and served as a teacher’s assistant for math classes during her senior year. Outside of school, Emily was a competitive dancer at Dance Dynamix and volunteered to help teach hip hop classes at her studio. She also holds a part-time job at Dirty Dough. Emily’s future plans include attending Shippensburg University, where she will major in math secondary education and join the dance team. Emily’s favorite Fourth of July memory is getting to spend all day in the park with her friends and family as well as watching the fireworks. Emily is the daughter of Gregory and Diane Hoover.
Emma Joy Johnsen
During her senior year at Warwick, she was a member of the varsity cross country team. Emma was also involved in the Spanish National Honor Society, FBLA, UNITE, and PALS. She served as vice president of the National Honor Society and was a Student Council Representative. Throughout High School, Emma consistently earned a place on the Distinguished Honor Roll and was recognized as the Lititz Woman’s Club Senior of the Month for March. Outside of school, Emma is actively involved in her community. She volunteers as a Sunday School teacher at her church, LCBC in Sinking Spring, and works as a camp counselor at Greenview Bible Camp. She has also volunteered as a Girls on the Run coach at Kissel Hill Elementary. After graduation, Emma plans to study nursing at Messiah University, with the goal of specializing in oncology. Emma’s favorite Fourth of July memory is when her mom served on the committee and she got to help decorate for the event alongside her. Emma Johnsen is the daughter of Robert and Rebekah Johnsen.
Adriana Olivia Kolawa
Adriana’s senior year has been full of leadership, school spirit, and unforgettable memories! As captain of the girls' lacrosse team, she loved leading her teammates and competing alongside some of her best friends. Adriana was also involved in National Art Honor Society , Science National Honor Society, Future Business Leaders of America and Fellowship of Christian Athletes, while staying active in student ministries at Calvary Church. Whether it was on the field, at school events, or through church activities, Adriana enjoyed making the most of every opportunity and building friendships along the way. After graduation, she plans to attend University of Delaware to study engineering with a minor in design, with hopes of one day owning her own business. Adriana’s favorite Fourth of July memory is hanging out with family and friends, listening to music, and watching the fireworks. Adriana is the daughter of Rafal and Anastasia Kolawa
Madelyn Leanne Myers
As a senior Madelyn was an active member of Spanish, English, Science, and National Honor
Society. She had the honor of being on the Distinguished Honor Roll throughout high school, as
as well as Lititz Rotary Club Student of the Month for December. Outside of school, she was a
competitive dancer at Ace Dance Academy, as well as a member of the teaching staff at her
studio. In addition to teaching dance, she holds a part-time hosting job at Cavolo Pizzeria. When
Madelyn was not dancing or working, she volunteered at Gigi’s Playhouse in the adult dance
program, which is a nonprofit organization made to provide free learning opportunities for people with Down Syndrome. She is also an active member at Lancaster Evangelical Free Church, where she attends youth group. Madelyn’s future plans are to attend Lebanon Valley College to major in nursing as well as join the dance team. Her favorite Fourth of July memory is walking through the park with friends and watching the fireworks. Madelyn is the daughter of Brandon Myers and Leanne Stoltzfus.
Leah Nicole Richie
In Leah's senior year of high school she was an athlete on the varsity cross country and winter and spring track teams. She had the honor of being captain for both track and cross country this year. She is a member of the National Honor Society, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and president of the Spanish National Honor Society. As an athlete on the cross country team she received a first-team all-star award along with a senior scholar award. She works at Spring Haven Show Stables located at Flintrock Stables where she takes care of 10-18 horses. Her future plans are to attend West Chester University to study exercise science and psychology to become a sports psychologist. She also plans to run on their cross country and track teams. Leah’s favorite Fourth of July memory was volunteering in the Kids Zone, which included reading a book to the children and ending the day watching the fireworks with her boyfriend. Leah is the daughter of Dave and Courtney Richie.
Vera Grace Roth
During her senior year Vera played on the girls varsity tennis team, served as vice president of the school’s Concert Choir and secretary of Tri-M Music Society. She was a member of the Spanish Honor Society and the National Honor Society. Vera played the role of Sophie in Warwick’s production of Mamma Mia! and sang in the chamber choir. This past spring Vera performed at the Hershey Theater for the opening performance of the Apollo Awards. Vera will attend Millersville University planning to minor in vocal music and explore areas to study as her major. Vera’s favorite Fourth of July memory was going on a giant slip and slide, singing Karaoke with her best friend and setting off fireworks. Vera is the daughter of Matthew and Mandy Roth.
Isabel Cecelia Thacker
Isabel enjoyed being involved in Link Crew and the National Art Honor Society during her senior year. She also enjoyed taking AP Spanish. In the fall Isabel plans to continue her education at HACC, where she will pursue a degree in Diagnostic Medical Sonography, with the goal of becoming an ultrasound technician. Isabel’s favorite Fourth of July memory is enjoying the warm weather and dressing up in red, white and blue with her friends. Isabel is the daughter of Rob and Belinda Thacker.
Maeve Zee 2025 Queen of the Candles
Maeve is a student at Washington and Lee University, where she plans to major in
Finance and minor in Data Analytics. During her first year, she was actively involved on campus
as a member of the field hockey team, the Contact Committee, Morgan’s Message, and Catholic
Campus Ministry. Maeve was recognized for her academic and athletic achievements as a
member of the National Field Hockey Academic Squad and as a Washington and Lee Scholar-
Athlete during both the fall and winter terms. During the spring term, Maeve studied abroad in
both Spain and Portugal, where she completed the 144-mile Camino de Santiago pilgrimage.
This experience was a highlight of her year, along with traveling to New York City with her field
hockey team. Looking ahead, Maeve is excited to continue developing her academic and
professional interests while contributing to her team and campus community. This summer, she
looks forward to spending quality time with her family, recharging, and preparing for the
upcoming field hockey season. Maeve is the daughter of Seana Zee.
© 2026 Lititz Springs Park. All Rights Reserved.
Logo and website design by Bill Dussinger, Penny Lane Graphics, www.plgraphics.com
Layla Rome LaSanta, Flower Girl
Layla is a kind, outgoing, and adventurous six year old girl who brings joy to everyone around her. This past year Layla completed first grade at Lititz Elementary School where she loved being with her friends and teacher Mrs. JO. Outside of the classroom Layla stays active playing softball as part of Warwick Youth Softball Program, where she enjoys being part of a team and learning new skills. Layla is also a member of Girl Scout Troop 70790 which has taught her confidence, friendship, and leadership skills. In her free time Layla loves being outdoors playing and exploring with her brother, friends, and cousins. Her curiosity, kindness, and enthusiasm make her a wonderful friend and a bright light wherever she goes. Layla is the daughter of Rey LaSanta and Jenna Romantic
Jackson Allen Hess, Crown Bearer
Jackson likes to play outside, ride fourwheelers, play with his friends, roller skate, ride his bike and play soccer. He loves to spend time at his grandparents’ farm and ride on the tractor. Jackson also enjoys making crafts, drawing and building legos. He attends Chiques Church in Manheim where he attends Sunday School and sings in the Kids Praise Choir. His favorite foods are cheese pizza, cookie dough ice cream and root beer floats. Jackson attends Lititz Elementary where he recently completed first grade with Mrs. JO, who is the best teacher. Jackson is the son of Mike and Kristen Hess.