Shenandoah University Student Named 2025 Miss Apple Blossom

Shenandoah University student Kira Sledge ’28 was crowned 2025 Miss Apple Blossom and will serve as an official hostess of the 98th Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival in Winchester, Virginia, next spring, festival officials recently announced.

As Miss Apple Blossom, Sledge, 18, will ride as festival royalty during the Firefighters’ Parade on May 2, and the Grand Feature Parade on May 3. Additionally, Sledge (pictured above, at right, alongside 2025 Miss Apple Blossom Teen winner Olivia Pacheco) will represent the Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival at the 2025 Miss Virginia Competition.

Being selected as Miss Apple Blossom, although definitely not something I had on my ‘bingo card’ for my first semester of college, has been a dream come true! Growing up in Houston, Texas, I had only ever done one previous pageant to Miss Apple Blossom, but I came in with the perspective of broadening my experiences, making connections, and being able to do some good in my newfound community.”

Kira Sledge, Shenandoah University first-year student

Sledge, who is pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts in musical theatre, competed alongside three other hopefuls in the Miss Apple Blossom Competition on Oct. 26. For the talent portion of the competition, Sledge demonstrated her singing and dancing ability in a musical theatre performance of “Show Off” from the musical “The Drowsy Chaperone.”

Sledge advocates for sustainable practices and policies that address worldwide environmental challenges, and her Community Service Initiative was “Bites of Hope: Feed the Future,” which aimed to help eliminate food insecurity among students in Frederick County and Winchester public schools through Bright Futures-Frederick/Winchester.

“Through the drive, we donated an astounding 353 individual food items to local schools in need,” Sledge said. “I couldn’t be more proud of the positive impact that this weeklong drive fostered, and I’m beyond excited to continue supporting our campus and community further as Miss Apple Blossom!”

Sledge’s crowning as Miss Apple Blossom comes seven years after Shenandoah alumna Dot Kelly ’18, ’21, earned the title of 2018 Miss Apple Blossom during her sophomore year at SU. Kelly, who earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in dance and a Master of Science in performing arts & leadership management from SU, went on to assume the role of Miss Virginia in 2019 when then-Miss Virginia Camille Schrier was crowned Miss America.

Kelly now serves as chair of production and preparation for the Miss Apple Blossom Competition.