Committee crowns new Colleen

By G. Michael Dobbs

Managing Editor

CHICOPEE Rachel Feyre was crowned the 2006 Chicopee Saint Patrick's Day Parade Committee's Colleen at the Knights of Columbus Hall on Granby Road on Saturday night.

The Chicopee Comp senior is the daughter of Thomas and Susan Feyre and Her future plans are to major in psychology, minor in Spanish with a pre-med concentration. She plans to become a neonatologist.

Thirty-four young women participated in this year's competition. Speaking for the panel of judges, TV22 meteorologist Darren Sweeney said the decision was a very difficult one as all of the women "brought something to the table."

He urged those who would be eligible next year to try once more.

The Colleen court includes Fallon Maxwell, Jodi Fairbanks, Natale Asselin and Jennifer Couture. Heather O'Connor-Duquette was named "Miss Congeniality."

All of the finalists had to answer the question of what they thought they would be doing in 15 years.

Feyre said that she plans to be a doctor specializing in the care of premature babies, be fluent in Spanish and volunteer in South America.

The Chicopee Saint Patrick's Parade Committee also announced this year's awards recipients at the pageant.

The 2006 Chicopee Parade Marshall is William Wagner, president of Chicopee Savings Bank. Wagner is well known for supporting a wide variety of community efforts and has been president of the bank since 1984.

The 2006 Atkinson Award will be presented to Chicopee Electric Light and was accepted by General Manager Jeff Cady. The award is named after the founding members of the Parade Committee and is given every year to a person or persons who are non-committee members that have volunteered to assist the committee by either personal involvement through hard work and dedication or with fund-raising and sponsorships.

Brian Corridan, one of the hosts of the event, explained that Chicopee Electric Light was chosen because of the generosity they have extended to the Parade Committee by donating space for the Committee to build its float.

The E. Jack Woods Award was presented to Gerald and Ann Marie Darcy. The award recognizes a committee member who has served for 10 or more years and has made outstanding contributions to the parade effort.

Gerald Darcy led the committee in 2002 as president and helps coordinate the Chicopee Parade Committee Mass every year.

Ann Marie Darcy has been active in chaperoning and organizing the banner bearers for the parade.

Corridan said the Bill Meara Award is presented from time to time to a member or members of the community who have performed an act of selfless courage, bravery or heroism.

This year the Parade Committee awarded this recognition to Russell Rzewnicki and Rebecca Masse. The two Chicopee teenagers helped with the rescue of two people who were struggling in the water off Salisbury Beach.