
Paid for by Empowering Warwick
Proudly Endorsed by:
Warwick Democrats
Lancaster County Democrats and
Public Education Advocates of Lancaster

About Us
Empowering Warwick is a dynamic campaign platform showcasing the vision and dedication of Annie Wiker, Alicia Albright, Connie Buckwalter, Jeff Difrank, and Linzey Zocolla. Explore our candidate biographies and join us in spreading awareness for a better Warwick.
Our mission is to promote positive change, advocate for community empowerment, and drive meaningful dialogue around social reform. Join us in our journey towards a more inclusive and prosperous Warwick.
Candidates
Dedication. Collaboration. Passion.

Connie Buckwalter
With over 30 years of leadership experience in marketing and communications across both large and small organizations, I understand the importance of clear communication and strategic decision-making. But beyond my professional background, my passion lies in mentoring and supporting young people. As a previous assistant and volunteer cross-country and track coach at Warwick, McCaskey, and Girls on the Run, I’ve had the privilege of encouraging student-athletes, knowing firsthand the lasting impact that a strong education and extracurricular involvement can have on confidence and success.
One of the most pressing challenges in our schools today is teenage depression and mental health. That’s one of the many reasons I am running. I want to explore ways to ensure our schools remain a welcoming, supportive environment that not only fosters academic excellence but also nurtures students’ personal growth and well-being. A key part of my role will be facilitating open communication between the superintendent, school board, and the community to make sure all voices are heard.
My campaign is not driven by politics but by a deep commitment to our students, our schools, and our community. As a 20+ year Warwick resident and advocate for young adults, I am dedicated to ensuring every student has the resources and opportunities they need to thrive.
I ask for your support in this endeavor. Together, we can strengthen our schools and create a brighter future for all students.

Jeff Difrank
I was born and raised in Pittsburgh and attended Penn State where I graduated with a degree in fine art. My first job after graduation aligned perfectly with my major, as I went to work for a painting contractor. Pittsburgh is a blue collar town, and I was proud to work a blue collar job. The value of hard work was a lesson instilled early by my family and I will always respect the men and women who work with their hands. I subsequently was hired by the Social Security Administration and had a 38 year career with that agency, during which I learned about managing a group of employees and about listening to them to inform my decisions.
Shortly after graduating from college, I married my true love and 48 years later we have two wonderful daughters, two wonderful sons-in-law and five amazing grandchildren. Both of our daughters became teachers, one in elementary education and one in high school. I know how hard teachers work and how much they want to do the best possible job for the kids in their class. Of my grandchildren, four are currently in elementary school and the youngest will join them in a couple more years. I want their school to imbue them with a love of learning, a love of community and a love of their fellow students.
After retiring from the SSA, I went to work as a paraeducator for the IU 13. This was an eye-opening experience for my in terms of seeing how hard the dedicated teachers and staff work in the face a great challenges and how much they care about their students. My 5 year stint with the IU was both extremely daunting and extremely fulfilling.
In addition to coaching youth soccer, I served a dozen years as a member of the board of the Manheim Township Soccer Club as well as a year as vice president and a year as president. I have been a member of church vestry and various committees of the church, and I am a Sunday school teacher at the church I attend. I believe in the need and value of community service, and would be proud to represent Lititz as a member of the school board.
My Christian faith informs my decision-making, but I adamantly oppose any actions designed to benefit any one religion over another in a public school.
I value and respect the sacred worth of each and every student, including those whose beliefs do not wholly align with my own. Along these same lines, I think that diversity should be celebrated, equity should be our goal and inclusion should be encouraged.
I believe very strongly in listening to the concerns of the stakeholders in any situation that will affect the well-being of others. The Warwick school board needs to listen to the professional educators, as well as the students themselves, when we make decisions that impact our students.
I believe in the power of knowledge and I respect science. I want our students to go into the world armed with the facts (or the skills needed to find them) and the ability to think critically.
I think Lititz is a great place to live, but I also believe it can be better. Providing the best possible education is the way to the best possible results, for our students and for our entire community.

Annie Wiker
My name is Annie Wiker. I was born and raised in Huntingdon, PA, and moved to Landisville the summer before my senior year of high school, graduating from Hempfield. I attended Millersville University, while there, I got a part time job working for the then Farmers First Bank. This was my first introduction to the great community of Lititz. I worked at both the Lititz and Brickerville branches. I loved the small town feel of Lititz, it reminded me of a more sophisticated version of my hometown and I longed to call the coolest small town, my home. As luck would have it, I met my husband, a lifelong resident of Elizabeth Township (and Warwick alum), at the Brickerville branch and the rest is history.
My husband, Brian and I reside in Elizabeth Township with our daughters, Zoe and Zara. Zoe is a member of the Warwick High School Class of 2025 and will be attending Penn State. Zara is a rising seventh grader and will move from John Beck to the Middle School this fall. I earned my BA in history from Millersville, and am still a passionate student of history, however, I have worked in commercial audiovisual sales my entire career. I currently work for Stirling Communications Supply Company, a boutique wholesale distributor of AV products based in Stirling, NJ. I work from home as an account manager, giving me plenty of flexibility for potential school board events. In my free time I love to read, workout, watch sports, and most importantly spend time with my family.
As a parent I have always paid attention to what was happening in our school district and would often watch meetings online. I began attending board meetings in the fall of 2023 when my daughter began her term as the student representative. After attending nearly all the meetings over the last two years, joining the board became interesting to me. I have been inspired by what Zoe has been able to achieve during her time on the board, and I hope to be just as impactful as she has.

Linzey Zoccola
Linzey Zoccola is a proud 2003 graduate of Warwick School District and a lifelong advocate for individuals with disabilities. She is the founder and director of Phoenix Assistance Dogs of Central PA (PAD), a nonprofit organization dedicated to training and placing assistance dogs with individuals with disabilities. Prior to founding PAD, she served as the Puppy Program Coordinator for Susquehanna Service Dogs and was actively involved with the Muscular Dystrophy Association for over two decades.
Linzey is running for the Warwick School Board to bring a much-needed voice for marginalized students, particularly those living with disabilities. As a disabled individual with Spinal Muscular Atrophy and a leader in the nonprofit sector, she brings a unique and valuable perspective to issues of accessibility, equity, budgeting, and conflict resolution. With nieces and nephews currently attending Warwick schools, Linzey is deeply invested in the future of the district and committed to ensuring that every student—regardless of ability—has the opportunity to succeed.
Her lived experience, combined with a career dedicated to advocacy and service, sets her apart as a candidate who understands both the challenges and the opportunities facing Warwick’s diverse student population.

Alicia Albright
Before moving into the Warwick School District in 2019, I knew I wanted to raise my family here. Now living with my partner and two children, ages 6 and 8, I am so thankful that we set up our roots in a community with strong values and an educational system where students can thrive.
My educational background in adolescent and child development started me on a path towards recognizing and appreciating the importance of a strong education to securing our children’s future and the future of our community. I worked on the front lines as a paraeducator while earning my degree, graduating with honors.
Over the years, I have continued on this path of serving the neediest students in special education programs at the IU-13. There I have developed a breadth and depth of knowledge that has helped me to understand the needs of a school system from the individual students and teachers, classrooms, and the school environment as a whole. I have been a member of our PBIS and safety committees, both providing me with great opportunities to advocate for both the staff and students.
My passion for students and teachers has led me to pursue and secure a committee member position representing the Rothsville area of the Warwick Democrats. After having volunteered at the polls for the past two years, I committed myself to becoming more involved in my community in the coming year and for many more years to come. I have also volunteered with Warwick United, an organization that aims at serving our community. In addition to my desire to serve, my experience as a parent and a professional will serve me well as I pursue a spot on the school board. It would be my genuine honor to serve my community in this very special way.