The 2025 Colleens

The 2025 Colleen & Her Court

2025 Colleen Ayslin Dziedzic

Cara Pagnoni

Chloe Sullivan

Sarah Daponde

2025 Mossie & Kathleen Murphy Scholarship Recipient

Chloe Sullivan

2025 Colleen

Ayslin Dziedzic, an 18-year-old senior at Longmeadow High School, is a dedicated and accomplished young woman with a deep passion for both academics and the community.

The daughter of Christine Brill and Robert Dziedzic, and the sister of Noiel Dziedzic, Ayslin has always been motivated by a sense of responsibility to those around her.Throughout her high school career, Ayslin has balanced a strong academic performance with a commitment to extracurricular activities and community service . Ayslin’s dedication to serving others began early on, with significant involvement in organizations like Girl Scouts, St. Mary’s Church in Westfield and Longmeadow, CYO basketball, American Legion Baseball, altar serving, The Ray of Hope Walk, and Girls On the Run, among many others. Her heart for community service grew even stronger when she joined the Dan Kane Singers, a highly regarded vocal group in Western Massachusetts. As a member of the group, Ayslin found her voice in a unique way, performing at both intimate gatherings and larger-scale events. The Dan Kane Singers are known for their rich, harmonious sound, and Ayslin’s vocal versatility shines through as she contributes to the group’s dynamic performances. The experience of singing alongside talented individuals has also fostered Ayslin’s understanding of teamwork and collaboration, allowing her to connect more deeply with her audience and convey powerful emotions through music.

Singing at various places across Massachusetts has deepened Ayslin's appreciation for the power of community and the importance of service, no matter where she is. This experience has shown her how music can unify people and strengthen bonds, inspiring her to carry the spirit of service with her wherever she goes. Her passion for music is not confined to one genre; she has become a skilled vocalist, exploring a wide range of musical styles, all while using her voice to tell stories and build connections.

Beyond her musical journey, Ayslin has demonstrated leadership and initiative in her high school years. She’s been actively involved in Key Club, Her First, Homework Club, and tutoring elementary school students, among other organizations. Her leadership extends beyond the classroom, as she has participated in huntingtons disease walks, lyme disease conferences, Stroll for Strength, A Walk for Kat, and sports such as basketball and soccer, always striving to make a positive difference in her community. Ayslin’s work ethic also extends to her professional life. She spent four years working at The Apple Place in East Longmeadow as a junior manager before transitioning to Center Square Grill as a hostess, where she continues to build meaningful relationships with customers. These experiences have further refined her interpersonal skills and her ability to manage responsibilities effectively.

In her personal life, Ayslin enjoys spending time at the beach, connecting with family, being with her friends, traveling and being with her dog, Tullamore Golden Dew. While still considering her college options, Ayslin has narrowed her choices to Springfield College, The University of Mississippi, Bryant University, and The University of Kentucky, where she plans to double major in Communications (Broadcast Journalism) and Marketing. Regardless of where she ultimately attends, Ayslin remains committed to making community service an integral part of her college experience and future career.

One of Ayslin's most cherished aspects of her identity is her Irish heritage. Growing up listening to stories from her grandparents about their family’s journey to America from Ireland, Ayslin developed a deep connection to her roots. Her mother, Christine Brill, was honored as the Grand Colleen of Holyoke in 1991, a prestigious title that Ayslin proudly carries with her as she embraces her Irish culture. Ayslin’s pride in her Irish heritage is more than just about family tradition—it’s about understanding the resilience, the history, and the values that have been passed down through generations. She is eager to continue exploring her cultural heritage and find new ways to celebrate it in her life and work.As Ayslin looks forward to the future, she is excited about the challenges and opportunities ahead.

With her combination of academic excellence, leadership, passion for music, and a strong sense of community, Ayslin is ready to make a meaningful impact on the world and continue to honor the values that have shaped her journey so far.

2025 Colleen Court

2025 Mossie & Kathleen Murphy Scholarship Recipient

Chloe Mai Sullivan, a 17-year-old Minnechaug Regional High School senior, is not just deeply rooted in her Irish heritage, but it is a fundamental part of her identity. Her passion for service, healthcare, and community is not just a set of values she upholds, but a reflection of her family’s legacy of compassion and resilience. She is the daughter of Joseph Sullivan and Amanda Metras of Hampden, MA, and her Irish ancestors hail from County Kerry and County Cork. Chloe’s commitment to the Springfield and Greater Springfield Community, especially her Irish Community, has been showcased from a young age.

When her Uncle GySgt. Thomas J. Sullivan was posthumously named the 2016 Springfield St. Patrick’s Parade Committee’s Parade Marshall and her family was there to accept the award in his honor: it sparked a change in Chloe. Seeing the entire community come together to support her family during an imaginable time further instilled her desire to give back and serve the community that supported her in any way she could.

Chloe has also seen the way other members of her immediate family continue to serve those around them, like her Aunt Dianne Sullivan Caron (this year's Paul G. Caron Award Winner), who Chloe has been honored to help support her initiatives to the Irish community throughout the year as well as her father, Joesph Sullivan (whose business, Nathan Bill’s, was recognized as the Mary B. Troy Award Winner in 2023). She deeply admires her father’s accomplishments, having served in the Army and been deployed to Bosnia to serve our country. In addition to many others, these individuals have further influenced Chloe’s drive to serve her community and sacrifice for others.

During her time at Minnechaug, Chloe has made remarkable strides,

showcasing her deep commitment to the community she is involved within. She takes great pride in her extracurricular activities, participating in numerous clubs, sports, and volunteer work. Her involvement in her school’s Varsity Lacrosse team, Cross Country team, Spanish Club, Above The Influence Club, Lumberjack Club, Yearbook Club, Key Club, and the Minnechaug Military Community, as well as the Lax Plus Club Lacrosse team, demonstrates her dedication to her community. Her annual volunteer work with Western Mass Toys for Tots, Jessy’s Fight, and the Thomas J Sullivan Annual Memorial Road Race, which benefits a scholarship at Pope Francis Preparatory School, is a testament to her selflessness and commitment to service.

Looking forward to her future, Chloe has committed to the East Carolina University Nursing Program in the Fall. While she will be moving away from the Springfield Community, she is excited to embrace the new challenges and exciting opportunities that lie ahead and know that, at the core, her heart belongs in Springfield. Chloe’s passion for healthcare was inspired by her mother, Amanda, who took on the responsibility of caring for many figures in her life. Having witnessed this, Chloe feels she shares the same compassion, particularly for her family. She is also completing an internship at Redwood Pediatrics in East Longmeadow, where she can get hands-on experience and see her potential future in nursing. Chloe also runs several social media pages and campaigns, including Mental Health for Mass, a solo student-led civics project advocating for more affordable mental health services in Massachusetts. In her free time, she also enjoys running her school's counseling center’s social media to familiarize her peers with the center’s services by creating an information hub.

Chloe deeply values her family and community connections, especially within her Irish roots, which she cherishes through her work and personal life. Working at Nathan Bills, a locally owned Irish pub, allows her to stay connected to her heritage while providing additional opportunities to further contribute to her local community. Sundays are particularly special to Chloe as she gathers with her family for dinner, where traditional Irish dishes made by her Grandmother Betty can be found all year long, and the entire family bonds over stories and traditions that have shaped their lives.

Her Irish roots remain a core part of her identity, and the accomplishments of her family–serve as an ongoing source of inspiration and motivation for her to continue to make her mark on the community she serves. As Chloe learns more about her Irish roots from her family, she hopes to visit Ireland one day to immerse herself more in her culture.

2025 Colleen Court

Cara Marie Pagnoni, is a twenty-one-year-old from East Longmeadow and was born to parents Laurie Labelle and Joseph Pagnoni. Her parents chose the name "Cara", which is Gaelic for "friend”; reflecting her warm and approachable nature. With her birthday falling in the month of March, her celebration often aligns with the festive spirit of St. Patrick's Day.

As a recent cum laude graduate of Bay Path University, Cara earned her associates degree with distinction in paralegal studies. She was an active leader on campus, serving as Vice President of the Bay Path Law Club as well as a member of the prestigious Lex Honor Society. She also received a certificate in Advanced Paralegal Studies which further demonstrated her dedication to her personal academic and professional growth.

Notably, she volunteered for the 2024 Bay Path University women in leadership conference where she demonstrated her adaptability and

confidence by stepping up as a opening speaker. Her outright dedication and solid leadership extends back to high school where she excelled as a dual-enrolled student; therefore demonstrating her commitment to academic excellence from an early age. During high school, Cara graciously volunteered with the Best Buddies program, fostering meaningful connections, promoting inclusion, and becoming a mentor for individuals with disabilities. Cara believes that her grandmother's large Irish family contributed to her sense of community and connection by passing down their family values, as well as the roots for her dedication and devotion to herself and others. Her compassionate side is deeply molded by her mother as well as her grandmother; both of whom are nurses. Their dedication to caring for others profoundly shaped Cara's outlook on life as a whole. As a proud child of a member of the armed forces, Cara holds a deep admiration for America’s troops along with a desire to give back to her community. Cara’s father, a retired Army Veteran who was deployed to Iraq as well as Afghanistan, aided in: forming her values, developing her character, and setting the foundation for her strong moral beliefs. Active in her community, Cara is a member of UNICO and the Sacred Heart Church in Springfield. She has also financially supported the fundraising efforts for the West Springfield Irish Club which provides students the opportunity to connect with their heritage by traveling to Ireland.

Professionally, Cara is a compassionate and dedicated Client Service Representative at South Paw Animal Care Veterinary Clinic. Within this clinic, she combines her passion for animals along with exceptional customer service skills to provide outstanding care for clients as well as their pets. Known for her warm personality and problem-solving skills, Cara excels at building meaningful connections with clients to ensure each pet receives the highest level of care.

Outside of work, Cara enjoys attending church, spending quality time with loved ones, and helping out in her community. With her strong Irish heritage, deep family values, and unwavering dedication to both people and animals alike, Cara brings empathy, enthusiasm, and dedication to every aspect of her life.

2025 Colleen Court

Sarah Daponde is a young woman with a strong interest in strengthening her role in her community and learning more about her Irish heritage. She is 19 years old and attending Framingham State University.

Born to Brian Daponde and Karen Douglas Daponde in 2005, Sarah spent her childhood in East Longmeadow and graduated as an honors student from East Longmeadow High school. Sarah loves music and played flute and bass clarinet in the school band and jazz band, as well as guitar and bass guitar in her free time. She was also involved with the political science club, model congress, and literary club in high school. She graduated as a member of the National Honors Society. She grew up with a love of not just music, but also dance. In her fifteen years as a dance student, she learned many different genres, including Irish Step Dance.

Throughout high school and beyond, community service was an important part of Sarah’s life. She first began volunteering in her mother’s classroom, in which she helped children with learning disabilities. Afterwards, Sarah became involved with the St. Michael’s community center, where she learned a strong sense of community and teamwork. She was a member of the youth group involved with planning events for the community, along with food drives. She was also involved with the St. Michael’s all-inclusive community theater, first by acting onstage, then by volunteering backstage. In the summer, Sarah also volunteers with the St. Michael’s Bible camp as a head counselor.

At Framingham State, Sarah is a freshman student in the Honors program. She is studying English with a minor in journalism. During her first semester, she joined the student newspaper as a journalist doing event coverage on campus. In December, she was elected as the assistant editor of the Arts and Features section.

Sarah is also involved with the school’s literary magazine, which publishes student works. In the future, she hopes to make a meaningful impact in the journalistic field in the future and become an editor on a daily newspaper after graduating from Framingham. Additionally, Sarah also works in the Printing Office and is a student notetaker for students with learning disabilities. She is also working with the Cultural Center at Framingham to schedule an Irish cultural event in hopes of creating a stronger Irish identity on campus.

None of the work Sarah has done, both societally and academically, could have been accomplished without the foundation of values her family has provided her with. She has learned perseverance, hard work, kindness, and optimism from them. Her Irish heritage has taught her the importance of friendship, sociability, commitment, and family. She is beyond excited to have this opportunity on the Colleen Court to strengthen her connection to her Irish roots in honor of her family and friends, as well as her mother who passed away in 2023.