PALMER – In a few weeks, Springfield Colleen winner Caitlyn Feeley and her court will cruise the streets of Holyoke during the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade, but the honor and recognition of the crowning goes far beyond the routes their decorative float will travel.

Feeley, a Chicopee native, grew up participating in their Colleen contest, however, when she moved to Palmer in August 2022, this was no longer an option. To carry out her passions from a new location, Feeley joined the John Boyle O’Reilly Club in Springfield.

“Being Irish is a big part of my personality trait,” said Feeley.

To be eligible to apply for the Springfield Colleen Contest, individuals can reside in Palmer – among other towns – and be of Irish descent, to name a few requirements. Feeley explained that an application is sent in with an essay that answers five questions.

On Nov. 5, 2022, the preliminary contest took place where five finalists were selected to represent the Springfield Colleen Court. “I was fortunate enough to be chosen and move on to the Coronation Ball,” said Feeley.

She explained that the preliminary contest consists of answering two questions on stage as well as a one-on-one interview with a panel of judges. As there were only five contestants, Feeley noted that all five were selected as finalists. The other finalists included Meghan Curley of Springfield, Ayden-Maeve Bradley of East Longmeadow, Nora Doyle of Wilbraham and Kiley Arsenault of Wilbraham.

At the Coronation Ball and Awards Ceremony on Feb. 11, Feeley said the finalists were asked questions centered around their application essays. A 10-minute one-on-one interview with the judges followed, along with answering questions on stage in front of a crowd. Feeley noted that the courts are not allowed to listen to other responses during this process and she wound up going last. “I didn’t know what to expect,” she said.

She shared that an award was given for the parade marshal along with several other award winners. One of the awards, the Mossie and Kathleen Murphy Scholarship, was presented to Feeley. She told Reminder Publishing that she was asked why she would like to receive this scholarship. “I am in a male dominated career – Mortuary Science and Funeral Services,” Feeley shared. Although there are not many women in this field, she wants them to feel empowered and show that like her, they can do anything they set their mind to.

To top off the day, Feeley was crowned the Springfield Colleen winner.

“The minute I got crowned, I was not expecting it at all,” she shared. At 22 years old, Feeley was the oldest of all the finalists, which led her to believe a younger woman would have won. “I was in shock,” she added.

Feeley said she looked around thinking another Caitlyn would be crowned, but she was the only one with that name. After realizing what happened, she said, “[The] tears started flowing.”

Typically, Colleens range in age from 17 to 21. However, because of COVID-19, a Colleen has not been crowned for the past two years. This year, the age range was extended to people from 16 to 24. Feeley said she was “lucky” her age fell into the extension.

In addition to receiving a tiara and a free trip to Ireland, Feeley and her court will ride atop a themed float in the Holyoke St. Patrick’s Day Parade on March 19. At the time of the interview, she shared that there would be a meeting in the coming weeks to begin planning this year’s float as it is a process everyone looks forward to and is involved in.

She noted that there are many other events in February and March that she and the courts will be a part of. For instance, on Feb. 28, they visited Black Rose Academy of Irish Dance to learn dance ceili’s, along with other dances.
In March, Feeley said they will attend a St. Patrick’s party along with other gatherings. On March 17 – St. Patrick’s Day – it is the busiest day of all, said Feeley. The morning begins with a breakfast, followed by church, an Irish flag raising at Springfield City Hall, the “Shin Dig on the Hill” reception at the Hungry Hill Senior Center, along with other activities.

After the Holyoke St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Feeley said there is about one event each month for the remainder of the year.

“Growing up for me, when I was 5 [years old], I wanted to wear a dress and the pretty crown,” along with a free trip to Ireland, said Feeley. However, now that she is older, she shared that her desire to become a Colleen has changed.

“[I have learned] what being a Colleen means and I look forward to representing [my] Ireland heritage and the people of greater Springfield,” Feeley said.

Another way Feeley honors her Irish heritage is by taking Irish step dancing classes at Black Rose under Bridget Barcomb-Dupuis, out of the John Boyle club.

During high school, Feeley stopped dancing to participate in sports, but quickly realized that her heart was 100 percent in dance. Currently, she is working to obtain her teaching license and will take a sit-down paper exam in Ireland to confirm the role.

Feeley is also taking classes through the Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Service out of Houston, TX, on top of the communications/digital marketing degree she already has from Holyoke Community College. As she graduated during COVID-19, Feeley said she applied to every possible position on Indeed, in hopes of finding work. One of the places she applied for included the funeral home that she still works at.

When she started at the funeral home, Feeley was picking up deceased individuals from the hospital or morgue. Through meeting with different families, she learned that everyone grieves in different ways. Although she didn’t know the people who passed or their families, the feeling of loss and desperateness is one that Feeley felt she needed to assist with, to “be that strong person” and “rock” to hold them together in a time of need, she shared.

Feeley also volunteers for The Miracle League of Western Massachusetts, a nonprofit group that provides people with disabilities the opportunity to play baseball.