By DIANNE LYONS SPRINGFIELD – Saturday night’s preliminary contest at the John Boyle O’Reilly Club in Springfield narrowed the field to just five finalists vying for the title of the 2014 Springfield colleen. On Feb. 8, the 2014 Springfield colleen will be chosen from these five finalists, winning a top prize of a trip for two to Ireland. The colleen...
By DIANNE LYONS
SPRINGFIELD – Saturday night’s preliminary contest at the John Boyle O’Reilly Club in Springfield narrowed the field to just five finalists vying for the title of the 2014 Springfield colleen.
On Feb. 8, the 2014 Springfield colleen will be chosen from these five finalists, winning a top prize of a trip for two to Ireland. The colleen and her “court” – the four remaining finalists – will all receive a plethora of prizes including Irish jewelry, Irish sweaters, scarves, blankets embroidered with their names, and much more, and will make appearances at events throughout the city and surrounding areas for the next year, including riding on a float in the Holyoke St. Patrick’s Parade.
Young women of Irish descent who live in from Springfield and surrounding towns are eligible to compete. Contestants must be ages 17 to 22 years of age and at least a high school senior.
This year’s five finalists for the 2014 Springfield colleen were Tara O’Shea Ellington, of Wilbraham; Abigail Wolf, of Monson; Mary Miller, from Longmeadow; and Nicole Denver and Anne Kathryn Rodriguez, both from Springfield. Molly Sullivan, of Springfield, was the winner of the 2014 Mossie and Kathleen Murphy Scholarship.
“This is a wonderful experience for these young women, as relationships are created that last a lifetime,” said Mollie Bresnahan, coordinator of the event. “While many contestants know each other, it is often the case that the five finalists are from different schools and create a lasting friendship throughout this experience.”
The colleen competition is often a family affair. “Many of our contestants have had mothers, sisters, aunts, and cousins who were colleens and court members. Our last two colleens have been sisters, in fact,” said Bresnahan.
Last year’s colleen, Mary Kate Sullivan, was crowned by her older sister Meghan, Springfield’s 2012 colleen. “It was really special that she was able to crown me,” said Mary Kate. “She was such a role model for me in promoting our Irish heritage. It was such an experience to be able to share this with not only my sister, but with my whole family.”
Though the contestants dress in evening gowns, this is not a beauty pageant. “Criteria for judging includes not only academics and their involvement in the community at large, but also their knowledge and investment in their own Irish culture and heritage,” said Bresnahan.
“This contest is an opportunity for these five women to be seen in a positive light. They are acting as role models who, proud of their Irish heritage, promote their culture through music, the arts, and entertainment, and simply through their engagement with the Springfield community,” said Bresnahan.
One of the five finalists, Anne Kathryn Rodriguez, was delighted when they announced her contestant number and name. “I can’t believe it! I’m so honored to be able to represent the Irish community. I’m so pleased that I’m going to be able to be a role model for other girls like the colleens were for me when I was young,” said Rodriguez.
Her mother, Josephine Sears Rodriguez, explains that “Annie’s Irish heritage comes from my side of the family, and she’s also half Spanish from her dad’s side of the family, so she has two wonderful cultures to celebrate, and we’ve celebrated them throughout her life as she’s been growing up. She’s enjoyed the best of both worlds with both of those cultures.”
The 2014 Springfield colleen will be chosen from amongst the five finalists at the Coronation Ball on Saturday, February 8 at the Cedars Banquet Hall, 419 Island Pond Road. The event begins at 5:30 p.m. with a cocktail hour, followed by dinner served by Log Cabin staff. Award winners will be presented with their official awards and sashes, and the 2014 Springfield colleen will be announced and crowned. Music will be provided by the Billy Eagan Band. The event will be emceed by Channel 40’s Britney Decker and co-hosted by Kim Zackery.
Mary Kate Sullivan, 2013 Springfield colleen, has some advice for this year’s colleen and her court: “Just enjoy it, every minute of the whole experience. And just share the pride that you have in your Irish heritage with everyone you meet, and listen to their stories and traditions. It goes by so quick; enjoy every single minute of it.”