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Date: 1/19/2023
AGAWAM — For the first time in three years, the Agawam St. Patrick’s Committee will crown a new colleen.
The committee recently nominated eight young women to compete for the title of 2023 colleen. One of them will be chosen as colleen, and four others will be become members of her court. They will represent Agawam in the 70th Holyoke St. Patrick’s Parade on March 19.
A panel of three judges will make the selection based on interviews at a gala coronation ceremony in February. The judges won’t be revealed until the day of the coronation. They all live and work in surrounding towns.
The eight colleen hopefuls, who were the only applicants this year, will be asked about their academics, athletics, extracurricular and volunteer activities, as well as interest in their Irish heritage.
They also will be required to write an essay about a person of Irish descent, living or deceased, who has made a significant difference in their lifetime. The winning essay will be chosen by the family of William Pfau, a founding member of Agawam’s St. Patrick’s committee, and will be read at the coronation ceremony.
The coronation is at 5 p.m. on Feb. 18 at Oakridge Golf Club in Feeding Hills. Tickets are $45 and can be purchased by emailing agawamstpatricks317@gmail.com.
Although Agawam is better known for its Italian immigrant heritage, a group of residents of Irish descent decided 23 years ago form a committee to bring “Irish season,” a longtime fixture in Holyoke, to Agawam.
The committee meets regularly to ensure there’s a celebration of Irish culture throughout the town while also promoting Agawam economically, culturally and socially. Taking a page from surrounding towns that celebrate their Irish heritage, the committee also recognizes a colleen annually.
The colleen traditionally makes numerous appearances leading up to the parade. Each year, except when the parade was canceled in 2020 and 2021, the colleen and her court have ridden on a float designed and constructed by committee members.
The 2023 parade, however, will be the first time in two decades that there won’t be an Agawam float in the Holyoke parade. Volunteers were eager to create a new float, but were unable to find a large enough enclosed space to construct it. Previous floats were built in large buildings at Six Flags New England and the Eastern States Exposition, neither of which had space for the Agawam St. Patrick’s Committee this year.
The colleen and her court will still travel in style through the streets of Holyoke. This year, instead of riding on a float, a white carriage with green carriage seats will be used.
The eight contestants in Agawam’s colleen competition are:
Hope Clark, a senior at Suffield Academy who plans to pursue a degree in business management or analytics. Clark has been a member of the Girl Scouts since 2011 and was a recipient of the Girl Scout Gold Award. Hope wants to be the Agawam colleen to show her Irish spirit that she grew up with and to show her pride and commitment to her heritage.
Kayla Herlihy, a senior at the University of New Haven, pursuing a degree in psychology. A community wellness advocate, she is a member of the Kappa Psi organization and teaches music lessons to young children. Herlihy wants to be the Agawam colleen to honor her mom and to celebrate their Irish heritage.
Melina Ichton, an Agawam High School senior. She plans to pursue a degree in biology or forensic science. Ichton takes several honors classes and works as a lifeguard in Springfield. Ichton wants to be the Agawam colleen so she can represent her Irish heritage that she inherited from her late maternal grandfather.
Margaret “Maggie” Johnston, a sophomore at Worcester Polytechnic Institute studying civil engineering. She currently participates in the women’s rugby team and has done a variety of volunteer work, especially through the Lupus Foundation of America. Johnston wants to be the Agawam colleen so she can represent Irish heritage for girls in the community.
Hannah Manning, a senior at Agawam High School. She is a cheerleader who has volunteered in a variety of organizations throughout Agawam. Manning wants to be the Agawam colleen so she can represent her town and embrace her Irish heritage.
Sabrina McBride, a sophomore at Our Lady of the Elms College, where she is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in secondary education and history. She is part of the Dorothy Day Program at Elms and volunteers throughout the community. McBride, an Irish dancer, wants to be the Agawam colleen to honor her heritage and share it with others.
Rylee Moreau, a senior at Pope Francis Preparatory School, who will pursue a degree in forensic psychology in college. A student ambassador for Pope Francis, Moreau wants to be the Agawam colleen so she can to give back to her community and step out of her comfort zone.
Abigail “Abbi” Perry, a senior at Agawam High School. Currently serving as secretary of the Future Medical Career Club, she’s also an honors student, and captain of the varsity lacrosse team for the 2023 season. Perry wants to be the Agawam colleen to represent her Irish heritage and her hometown as well as build relationships with her community.
The board of directors of the St. Patrick’s Committee includes Doug Reed, president; Frank Benson, vice president; Kay Benson, treasurer; Mary Jo Safford, clerk; and Abbie Malouin and Tim McGrew, directors.