– Congratulations to 2026 Springfield Colleen Anna O’Toole and her Court! –
On behalf of Mayor Domenic J. Sarno, Communications Director Molly Shea joined on Saturday evening to bring greetings at the 2026 Colleen Coronation and Awards Presentation Ball, presented by the Springfield St. Patrick's Parade Committee.
Mayor Sarno’s Mayoral Aide and Deputy Communications Director Rose McCaffrey served as the event’s Mistress of Ceremonies. McCaffrey was also the 2019 Springfield Colleen. Along with the dedicated members of our Springfield St. Patrick’s Parade Committee, and Committee President, 2023 Colleen Caitlyn Feeley Dubay-Martin, our Springfield Parks & Facilities Director and 2001 Parade Marshal Thomas Ashe, City Councilor Victor Davila, Wellpoint General Manager Dave Morales, and many dignitaries were in attendance at Twin Hills on Saturday for this special annual celebration.
The Coronation Ball remains one of the most meaningful and anticipated celebrations of the parade season, bringing families, supporters, and community leaders together in honor of heritage, leadership, and tradition.
After competing earlier this year in the preliminary round, each of the five Colleen finalists, Anna Flanagan, Siobhan MacDonnell, Anna O’Toole, Emma Westbrooks, and Sophia Dow, took the stage on Saturday evening and shared with their community what this tradition means to them. Each woman did an incredible job representing themselves, their family and community.
Anna O’Toole of Wilbraham was named the 2026 Springfield Colleen.
One finalist, Sophia Dow, was selected as the recipient of the annual Mossie & Kathleen Murphy Scholarship, a long-standing honor associated with the Colleen tradition that recognizes dedication to heritage, education, and community. Also, this year, for the first-time, in addition to the long-standing Mossie & Kathleen Murphy Scholarship, all five Colleen finalists went home with $500 scholarship thanks to the generosity of Wellpoint.
In addition to the Colleen coronation, several distinguished members of the community were recognized for their dedication and service to Springfield’s Irish heritage and parade tradition:
Parade Marshall Beth Hawley;
John & Agnes Burke Awardee John Ford;
Paul G. Caron Awardee Joe Christofori;
and Mary B. Troy Awardee The City Line Café.
“This is always a beautiful night with so much to be proud of,” stated Mayor Sarno. “Thank you to the Springfield St. Patrick’s Parade Committee and all involved for your efforts to keep these important cultural traditions alive. A very special congratulations to our 2026 Springfield Colleen Anna O’Toole and her court. I am also honored to congratulate this year’s awardees Parade Marshal and award-winning educator Beth Hawley; John & Agnes Burke Awardee, my friend and old soccer teammate, who does so much for our youth especially with the Special Olympics, John Ford; also someone who’s heart is truly in his community, his home that he loves, our local Hungry Hill historian Paul G. Caron Awardee Joe Christofori; and the place that feels ‘like everybody knows your name’, a neighborhood and community staple that also gives back, the Mary B. Troy Awardee The City Line Café. Congratulations to all and I am looking forward to more celebrations to come!”
Mayor Sarno continued, “Shout out to Wellpoint, who not only delivers a great insurance product, but they are also providing a $500 scholarship to each of the five finalists this year. Wellpoint GM David Morales said they would be increasing their community involvement and he and Wellpoint continue to step up and support our Springfield community – thank you! I am looking forward to being together for St. Patrick’s Day and raising the Irish flag here at City Hall. Sláinte!
View the online program book: https://www.canva.com/.../HlTpRdhhrw3o_Cva6EQ3Gw/view...
Learn more: https://www.springfieldstpatricksparade.org/
