The 19-year-old Westfield resident was crowned during the Sons of Erin 31st annual Colleen Ball at Chez Josef.
AGAWAM - Megan S. Casey walked the runway during the colleen contest with a guardian angel pinned to the inside of her gown, and it is the spirit of her aunt, she said, that helped her win the competition and the crown she has coveted since a young age.
"My aunt, Roxy Buzzee, died of cancer when I was young but I was the closest to her," Casey said.
The 19-year-old Westfield resident was crowned the 2012 colleen during the Sons of Erin 31st Annual Colleen Ball on Feb. 3 at Chez Josef. Casey, along with her court, will represent Westfield during the Holyoke St. Patrick's Parade on March 18.
Making the even more special for Casey was that her best friend, 2011 Colleen Lauren D. Mayhew, placed the crown atop her head and the robe around her shoulders while both young women cried.
"I'm overwhelmed," Casey said. "I've wanted this since I was a little girl, but did not expect this."
With a year full of appearances and events in the planning, Casey is looking most forward to the trip to Ireland she and her court will receive.
"I can't wait to go to Ireland," she said.
The four young women named to Casey's court, all of Westfield were Connor M. Sheehan, 17, a senior at the Williston Northampton School; Ryan E. Hickson, 17, a senior at Westfield High School; Sinead A. Smith, 17, a senior at St. Mary's High School, and Meaghan E. Kwarcinski, 17, a senior at Westfield High School.
In addition to the naming of the colleen and her court, James Kane was selected as the Irishman of the year, Helen Tymeson was named Irishwoman, of the year and Lisa G. McMahon was announced as this year's Westfield contingent parade marshal.
In passing the Irish shillelagh to McMahon, 2011 Parade Marshal Richard K. Sullivan Jr., state secretary of the Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, described McMahon as "a woman who always believes Westfield's best days are not just here now, but will here tomorrow."
"She has more capabilities than anyone I know," he said.
McMahon, executive director of the Westfield Business Improvement District, said she was humbled by the honor and Sullivan's words for doing the things that she loves for the community she loves.
"I love what I do because I love Westfield," she said. "To be able to lead my community it the parade leaves me speechless. This is very exciting. I can't express the emotion I'm feeling."
McMahon noted that the parade and Westfield's part in it are "all about tradition," and to be named among the past marshals is humbling.
"I've had wonderful mentors helping me," she said. "They are all dedicated people who are amazing what they do."