The 2019 Sons of Erin Colleen and Court: Fionnuala Jane Matthews, Maura Reilly Wurster, Colleen Hannah Elizabeth Jury, Shaunessey Evelyn Lambert, and Kaitlin Rose Sicard. (File Photo)
WESTFIELD – This year, the 39th Sons of Erin Colleen and Court will be selected to represent the city at events throughout the St. Patrick’s season.
The Sons of Erin Colleen Committee is accepting applicants through Jan. 8 for the contest and ball, which is Feb. 7 at Chez Josef in Agawam.
The Colleen represents all things Irish, according to Committee member Tracy Oleksak.
“She embodies a pure heart, service, kindness, strength and tradition,” said Oleksak. noting that it is not a beauty pageant. “The Colleen and her court should be well-rounded young women who can serve as role models to others. They are judged equally on intellect, personality, poise and appearance.”
The Colleen and her court are an Irish tradition.
“The Colleen represents not only the membership of the Sons, but also the Irish community of Westfield, Southwick and the hilltowns, and the strong Irish pride and traditions in the community,” Oleksak said.
The Colleen and her court will represent the Sons of Erin and Westfield at various events leading up to and including the Holyoke St Patrick’s Day Parade.
Prior to the Colleen and Court being chosen, the contestants will meet each other at the Colleen Breakfast Jan. 12 at the Sons of Erin and learn about the roles and responsibilities of the Colleen and her court and all of the events that happen prior to the Colleen Ball.
In the weeks leading up to the Ball, they will meet once at the Sons of Erin to learn how to walk the runway and a few traditional Irish dances. They will interviewed by the contest judges on Feb. 6 at Chez Josef. Each contestant is interviewed privately and anonymously by a panel of three judges. The judges are chosen by the Colleen Committee.
“Each year, we are careful to choose judges that are of Irish descent and do not have ties to the Sons of Erin or the Westfield community,” said Oleksak. “The judges come up with their own questions, which the contestants do not know ahead of time, and are asked not to share with other contestants until all interviews are completed. It is extremely important to the Committee that the judging is impartial, and every contestant is given an equal opportunity.”
Oleksak said new events are added every year.
“Some of the larger events the Colleen and her Court will attend are the Billy Buzzee Irish Night at the Sons of Erin, where they are officially presented to the membership; The Gathering, which is attending by all area Colleens and award winners, St. Patrick’s Day Road Race where they assist with the children’s run and march with the Mummers, and of course, the St. Patrick’s Parade,” Oleksak said. “The girls will also head over to Holyoke to meet the parade committees. Last year they meet with other area Colleens at the John Boyle O’Reilly Club to learn Irish dances, attended the St. Patrick’s Mass and Irish Night at Blessed Sacrament Parish and they attend the Colleen Scramble, typically held in June which is put on by the SOE Colleen Committee. “
The Colleen receives, among other gifts, an airfare voucher for two to Ireland, her tiara, a claddagh ring and Beleek Trinket box, an Irish sweater, mittens and kilt. Court members receive, among other gifts, a claddagh ring, Irish sweater, mittens and kilt.
Applications are currently being accepted for women ages 17-22 who are residents of Westfield, Southwick, the surrounding hilltowns or are daughters or granddaughters of members of the Sons of Erin. Applications are available at all area high schools and online at www.sonsoferin.com
Applications must be postmarked by Jan. 8, 2020.
