Strain is a second-year Holyoke Community College student.
WESTFIELD – For Theresa M. Strain, being crowned West Springfield’s 2012 Colleen provides her the opportunity to represent her hometown, visit the country where her parents honeymooned and, most importantly, make her grandparents even prouder of her.
“She’s so wonderful,” said her grandfather, Joseph R. Strain, of Springfield, after the Colleen coronation held Saturday night at Westwood restaurant, a sentiment with which Strain’s grandmother, Lorraine M. Strain, agreed.
An 18-year-old second-year student at Holyoke Community College majoring in liberal arts with plans to continue her education at either Arizona State or Westfield State University, Strain gave a moving speech about the importance of family before being named the winner, a speech that made her parents, Joseph A. and Patricia A. Strain, of West Springfield, realize how valuable family is to their daughter.
“I’m very proud of her,” her father said. “It’s beautiful to know that she cares for her family and grandparents as much as she does.”
While excited about all the events in the coming year, especially the March 18 Holyoke St. Patrick’s Parade, Theresa Strain said she is most appreciative of the way the Colleen contest her bonds with her family.
“This is great because it really brought our whole family together in our Irish heritage,” she said.
One of Strain’s prizes is a trip to Ireland, he country where her parents honeymooned.
Strain will be joined atop the West Springfield parade float by her court, Siena E. Tansey, Mallarie S. Charbonneau, Melissa B. LaFlamme and Samantha G. DiStefano.
Also honored during the event were 2012 parade marshal James Conlin; Ray DiStefano Citizenship Award winners Michael and Rose Desrosier; Olde Mittineague Award winners Liquori’s Plaza and Anthony Liquori; and “Jinx” Powers Award recipient Daniel Patten.
In her farewell speech, 2011 Colleen Sara B. Stewart told Strain and her court that the coming year will provide them with indelible memories that will last a lifetime.
“I’m so excited for these girls to experience everything we did,” she said. “They will come away from each event with a different memory.”