Mystic Irish Parade Grand Colleen 2026

Anna Kate O’Donnell is a senior at Saint Bernard School. She is a James A. Greenleaf Memorial Scholarship recipient and is very involved in her school and local community. At Saint Bernard, she’s a member of her school’s National Honor Society chapter, the secretary in her school’s National Art Honor Society chapter, and the senior Xaverian Brothers Sponsored Schools Leader where she helps run religious retreats for students at her school. Anna Kate is an avid swimmer and was captain of her school’s varsity swim team. She is currently a member of the Mystic Hammerheads swim team. She was her school’s ECC Scholar Athlete for swimming, and placed in her individual events at the ECC meet. Outside of school and sports, she works on a service project with friends every year that donates baby supplies to a shelter called Anchor of Hope in New London. Anna Kate will be attending The Catholic University of America in the fall where she will major in nursing and be a midshipman at the Capital Battalion for the Naval ROTC program. Anna Kate loves her big Irish family and all the fun times they share when everyone gets together at the holidays. The St. Patrick Day season is especially memorable as she loves rocking the Irish green, decorating her house with shamrocks, and going to the Mystic Irish parade with family and friends.

Mystic Irish Parade Grand Colleen Court 2026

Finnella O’Keefe is a senior at Stonington High School. At SHS, she has been awarded the Frederick Douglass and Susan B. Anthony Book Award and was selected as a delegate for the 2025 American Legion Auxiliary Laurel Girls State. She is a member of the National Honors Society and Spanish Honors Society. She is currently serving as Student Government President and the Student Representative on the Board of Education. She has also been my class treasurer for four years. Athletically, she played varsity soccer for four years, became captain her senior year, and was rewarded with ECC All Star. She has also played varsity golf for three years and received the ECC Scholar Athlete award. She enjoys giving back to her community through coaching young athletes for Stonington Soccer Club, and volunteering at foster care events with Waterford Country Day School. Growing up in Stonington, watching the Mystic Irish Parade has always been a tradition she looks forward to. She loves the St. Patrick’s Day season because her big Irish family gets together to celebrate and share memories over corn beef and cabbage! Finn will be attending a four year college and is planning to major in Psychology.

Avery Horan is a senior at Fitch High School who is an active member in her school and local communities. She is co-captain of the Fitch Debate Team, and Vice President of the school’s chapter of National Honor Society. Avery plays the violin in the Eastern Connecticut Symphony Youth Orchestra and is a member of the Fitch softball team. She writes for the Fitch Falcon Press and additionally manages their social media. Avery also co-founded the Groton Middle School Debate Club to encourage critical thinking and create a path for future debaters. Avery plans to attend UCONN in the fall, majoring in journalism. There, she looks forward to being an engaged member of that community, joining many student clubs and organizations. Most of all, Avery hopes to make an impact in the world of sports journalism as she makes her way through her career.

Myra Ashley Cooley is a senior at Marine Science Magnet High School, where she is an active and accomplished student. Myra is a student ambassador, health and PE facilitator, peer tutor, founder of the MSMHS photography club, member of student council, and secretary of the National Honor Society. Myra is also a recipient of the Smith College Book Award and was the 2025 scholar athlete for the Fitch girls soccer team. Outside of school Myra plays the violin in the Eastern Connecticut Symphony Youth Orchestra, has an internship at a local orthodontist, is a member of the Climate-Ready Groton Advisory group, and has played soccer for Fitch High School. Myra loves that her hair visually represents her heritage— sparking many conversations about Irish culture. She always looks forward to the Mystic Irish Parade since it includes some of her favorite traditions and memories with her friends and family. Myra plans to attend a four-year college, where she hopes to major in environmental science on the pre-dental track

Camilla (“Millie”) DeBell is a senior at Fitch High School in Groton. She serves as the Editor-in-Chief at the Fitch Falcon Press, the secretary of the student council, and a member of the National Honor Society. During her time at Fitch, Millie has earned Academic High Honors throughout all four years of high school and was chosen as a singular Connecticut representative for the Al Neuharth Free Spirit and Journalism Conference. Outside of school, Millie has been a competitive dancer at Dancers Ink since elementary school, competing in styles of jazz, lyrical, contemporary, and more. Millie has loved attending the Irish parade since she was a little kid. She loves being able to connect to her Irish roots and see her community gather every year to watch the parade. Attending the parade has cultivated a sense of appreciation for Millie’s Irish heritage while also fostering a connection with her family history. Millie hopes to attend a four-year university in the fall, where she plans to major in journalism and political science.