Southern California Rose of Tralee

26th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Grand Ball &

Rose of  Tralee Debutante Presentation

To most it would have just been another Saturday night, but for six young women and six little girls it was their moment to sparkle and shine.

The Beverly Garland Holiday Inn was the locale for the 26^th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Grand Ball & Rose of Tralee Presentation.   The evening kicked off with cocktails and conversations among family, friends, guests, and for the first time – the Roses themselves.  The Rose of  Tralee Silent Auction returned again to give the guests a chance to bid on some exciting prizes and of course, support the Rose Program.

As the merriment of the cocktail hour wound down, dinner was announced and the crowd moved to their tables.  Terry Anderson, the Rose Show Director, started the evening with general announcements and welcomes.  Irish Fair Board member Grif Healy paid tribute to the colors with the Irish National Anthem, followed by the Star-Spangled Banner.  The blessing was given over the food and the guests began to enjoy the delicious prime rib dinner.

As the crowd enjoyed the tasty meal of prime rib, Terry kept the program moving forward with the announcement of the Irish Honorees present, who included John Foley, Paul Barnes and Rev. James J. Clarke, along with the Irish Woman of the Year, Olivia Tracey.  Terry then introduced the evening’s guest emcees Tony O’Donnell and Olivia Tracey.  Both Tony and Olivia had served as emcees in the past of the Southern California Rose Centre, but this evening they would be sharing the duties.

Tony and Olivia started the highlight of the evening commending the hard working efforts of the Rose Committee and Irish Fair Foundation and shared with the crowd how much they both enjoy being a part of such an amazing community as the one Southern California has produced.  The show continued with the introduction of the Judges Panel, followed by the former Roses present – 1987 Rose Kelly Learman Browne, 1992 Rose Kari Ann Patterson Gerlach, 2002 Rose Anneliese Schumacher and 2007 Rose Aileen Whelan, along with visiting Roses 2002 Washington DC Rose Joy Peck Grainger and 2006 Boston Rose Caitlin Sullivan.

Tony then introduced the Rosebud Class of 2009, reading little bio of each Rosebud and giving each girl a moment on stage.  Eight years strong, the Rosebud program continues to be a success and a delight for the Rose Program with many returning Rosebuds already becoming a fixture in the Rose Family.

And then the moment had come…it was time for the presentation to start…

After almost six weeks of attending Rose Events and learning about their heritage and the Irish culture, the six remarkable and unique young women known as Roses were ready for their night…for their time to shine.

As emcee Olivia Tracey introduced each Roses’ background to the crowd, each Rose was escorted into the room – by fathers, mothers, good friends.  They were greeted by 2008 Rose Sinead who presented each Rose with a long stemmed red rose, along with a good luck hug.

Each Rose had an impromptu conversation with Tony before moving onto the mystery questions.  The Rosebuds were welcomed back to the stage with the basket of questions for the Rose to pick from.  Tony, in turn, would read the question which the Roses then answered.

Rose Caitlin Clare Conway, looking elegant in a white gown reminicient of a Greek goddess, was the first Rose to be presented.  Escorted by her father, John, the twenty-one year old from Manhatten Beach, Caitlin shared memories of her time studying abroad with the British American Drama Academy.

Red-headed darling Caitlin Marie Soyland was the next Rose to be presented.  The eighteen year old student at Victor Valley College chatted with Tony about some of the challenges of coaching young soccer players as well as her hopes to become a marine biologist.

High school senior Mary Elizabeth Kelly was the third Rose to be presented.  Stunning in her black gown, the blonde green eyed beauty told about some of her travels abroad.  Her mystery question was presented to her by her cousin Rosebud Caroline.

Already halfway through the presentation, Rose Sarah Jessica Felong was the fourth Rose presented.  The twenty-four year old from Murrieta looked regal in her blushing pink gown.  She remarked during her interview was an avid fan of Notre Dame football which got a few cheers from the crowd.

Rose Laura Marie Mullens was the next Rose of the evening to be presented.  Escorted by her father Frank, the UCLA freshman marked her first year in the Rose program in a beautiful dark pink gown that complimented her dark locks.  Her Rosebud for the evening was her cousin Greta, showing the strong family ties within the Rose Program.

And finally the last Rose of the evening, Brittany Alaina Kelly was presented.  The Chicago-born Brittany looked elegant in her wine colored gown as she was escorted by her father Colin.  She chatted with Tony about her passion for musical theater and her committment to her volunteer work.  And marking her last year, Rosebud Brittany presented the mystery questions to Rose Brittany.

After the presentation of the Rose Class of 2009, several of the Roses performed their party pieces, entertaining the crowd.  Starting off was Rose Mary who performed a lively medley of Irish songs on violin.  She was followed by the gifted Rose Sarah who sang Puccini’s “O mio babbino caro”.  Rose Sarah’s performance was followed by Rose Brittany performing the character vocal “Popular” from Broadway’s Wicked, with assistance from Tony and Olivia and a few special people in the audience.  Rose Laura finished the party piece segment with a hornpipe Irish step dance that had every person clapping in time.

After the applause for the Roses had quieted down, the Rosebuds returned to the stage to help participate in a sing-a-long of Irish tunes.  Led by Grif Healy, the crowd engaged in a medley of Irish favorites including Galway Bay and When Irish Eyes Are Smiling.

As the Roses exited the stage lead by Sinead and the Rosebuds, Tony and Olivia reminded the crowd of the midnight crowning and the dancing and festivities still to come!

The Music Connection Orchestra kicked off the dance music with a few well-known songs that brought the people out of their seats and onto the dance floor. Throughout the evening they kept the variety of music going with something for everyone. It was a play list to take anyone back to their Senior Prom…no matter what their age. Nearly fifty years of music kept people rockin’ and rollin, groovin’ and jivin’ all night long.

The band breaks of the evening brought about 2008 Rose Sinead’s farewell to the Irish community.  Proud to have represented Southern California for the past year, Sinead was a bit melancholy that her year was almost at an end, yet excited that she would be passing her crown onto one of the six young women the audience had been privileged to meet earlier in the evening. 

Also part of the band breaks was a Riverdance-style performance from the Kelly School of Traditional Dance. Under the direction of Mrs. Joan Kelly, the school’s performances have become a highlight of the evening over the years. The entertaining numbers, colorful costumes and inspiring energy of the dancers kept the crowd seated around the floor engaged in the performances, especially the Rosebuds who took the front row to watch and enjoy the show.

The Music Connection Orchestra returned to play a few more numbers before the Midnight Hour approached and the Roses returned the stage.

Tony and Olivia introduced the President of the Irish Fair Foundation, Terry Anderson, to the stage, who in turn thanked the emcees for an excellent evening and of course the Rose of Tralee Committee for their tireless efforts to make the evening a success.

Terry introduced the Rosebuds onto the stage for a final bow and then Rose Sinead was introduced to the stage – crown in hand to pass to the next Rose whose name would be announced shortly…

A few more words of thanks, a mention of the Irish Fair in June and then Terry wrapped up his comments and asked for the envelope.

At last…the moment had come…clasped hands…a drumroll…and a name was announced…

And the young woman, chosen from six remarkable and wonderful young women, to represent her fellow Roses and the Irish Community of Southern California at the International Rose of Tralee Festival and Pageant in Tralee, Ireland was Brittany Alaina Kelly.

Amidst cheers and applause, the newly crowned Brittany took her Rose walk down to the dance floor where she was presented to her father, Colin Kelly, for her first dance as the 2009 Southern California Rose of Tralee.

Congratulations to Brittany on her selection as the 2009 Rose of Tralee and to all the Roses and Rosebuds of 2009 for being the amazing young women and girls that you are!