Club News | Sons of Erin

Hall or Pavilion Rentals	To rent our facilities please contact our Bar Manager, Brian Colton, by phone at (413) 537-0490.
2024 Colleen and her Court	Our 2024 Colleen is Sydney Helen Drugan! Sydney is 17 years old and a junior at Westfield High School. She serves on the Student Council Executive Board and was Student Council Class President during her freshman and sophomore school years and currently serves as Class Historian. Sydney is a member of the National Honor Society, Library Club, Multicultural Club, and Debate Club. She was a 2023 Mass Stem Week Challenge Winner chosen out of 5,000 participants, awarding her schools engineering program with a $10,000 scholarship. She is also a member of the Conservation Club, Letters for Rose, and the Space and Astronomy Club. She is a member of the Massachusetts Science and Engineering Fair Student Advisory Committee and was part of the One8 Foundation Student Board. Sydney has been a competitive dancer for the past 16 years. Her favorite style to perform is contortion. In her free time, she enjoys reading about geology, peer mentoring, and assistant teaching at Dancer’s Image. Sydney plans on attending a technical school to further her education in engineering. She would eventually like to attend the University of Hawaii at Manoa to study Volcanology and Geological Engineering. Our 2024 Court: Katelyn Olivia Jones - Katelyn is 17 years old and a senior at Westfield High School. Katelyn works part time at East Mountain Country Club and Dunkin Donuts. She is a member of the National Honor Society. She serves as president of the Key Club and is a member of Best Buddies, Letters for Rose, book Club, and Westfield Medical Minds which is a club that performs medical research. She is also a student leader and peer mentor. In her spare time, Katelyn enjoys volunteering at the Westfield Soup Kitchen, reading, learning about medicine, skiing, and baking. Upon graduation, Katelyn plans to study Biochemistry at Siena College. She plans on becoming an emergency medicine doctor so that she can help people get better when they are at their worst. Riley Jane McDonnell - Riley is 17 years old and a senior at Westfield High School. She is employed by Tandem Bagel and the West Springfield Park and Rec Department as a summer camp counselor and basketball coach. Riley is a member of both the Westfield High School varsity basketball team and the lacrosse team. She is a Student Council Representative and a member of Best Buddies, Letters for Rose, Key Club, the Multicultural Club, and the honor roll. In her free time, Riley enjoys art and loves listening to music. She also enjoys nature, history, reading, travelling, babysitting, and baking. Riley plans on attending a four year university and work towards getting a degree in psychology. She would like to one day become a sport psychologist or work with children and families in a counseling role. Brie Simone Kelly-Barrett - Brie is 18 years old and a senior at Saint Mary’s High School. She is employed by the Russell Inn Restaurant and Lounge. Brie is a four year member of the varsity softball team and has been playing for 10 years. She serves as manager for the boy’s basketball team. She is a member of the school’s honor roll, student council, Yearbook, and Key Club. Brie is currently dual enrolled at Elms College. In her free time, Brie enjoys participating in community service projects as well as scrapbooking, travelling, and baking. She also enjoys spending time with friends and family. Before college, Brie would like to obtain her CNA license. She will be attending Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences on an accelerated 3 year track to graduate with her RN. She will then continue on to train as a NICU nurse. Grace Sophie Hanna - Grace is 17 years old and senior at Southwick Regional High School. She is a member of her school’s Interact Club, an organization that allows members to get involved in community service projects. She is employed by and volunteers at the Irish Cultural Center. Grace is dual enrolled at Holyoke Community College where she is completing her Associate’s Degree. She is a member of the Track and Field team and on the honor roll. Grace has served on Student Council and is a former class officer. In her free time, Grace enjoys studying Irish history, language, and culture. She also enjoys painting, embroidery, crocheting, and is a member of the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians. Grace is graduating a year early. Upon graduation, she plans on completing her Associate’s degree at HCC and then transferring to Our Lady of the Elms. After college, is pursuing a career at the Blasket Center in Dunquin, County Kerry, Ireland.
2024 Billy Buzzee "St. Pat on the Back" Award	Congratulations to our Billy Buzzee St. Pat on the Back award winner Mike Conroy! Mike is a Charter member of the Sons of Erin. He is a past President and a longtime board of director. Mike has been an integral member of the Float Committee for over 20 years. He enjoys volunteering for clean up days and many other events. Mike is enjoying his retirement and is the proud father to Caitlin and grandpa to Seamus. Mike enjoys long walks on the beach and spending time with the lovely Gail.
2024 Parade Marshal	Congratulations to our Parade Marshal for 2024 Kellie Brown! Kellie (Grady) Brown is the Chief Operating Officer at the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Westfield and has been for 24 years. She has been a member of Kiwanis Club of Westfield for 13 years, Past President. She's a member of St. Peter & St. Casimir Parish in Westfield where Kellie serves as a Lector, Eucharistic Minister, and a member of the Finance Council. Kellie graduated from Bay Path College with a bachelor’s degree in psychology. Kellie is a proud mom to Ashlie & Eric Brown and Grammie to Jax, Grady, C.J. and Gabby.
2024 Thomas M. Kane Irishman of the Year	Congratulations to our 2024 Thomas M. Kane Irishman of the Year Mike "Mac" McMahon! Mac is one of the founders of the Sons of Erin, has served as Club secretary, board of directors, scholarship committee and volunteers at many events. He attended Westfield High School, Holyoke, Community College, and North Adams State College. Mac is currently retired and previously worked at the Massachusetts Department of Revenue, and the City of Westfield. Mac is married to Mary Jane (O'Donoghue) and they have three children, Patrick and his wife, Katy, Brendan, and Tara. He's a proud grandfather to Sean and Eilionora.
2024 Dorothy B. Griffin Irishwoman of the Year	Congratulations to Theresa Jessen Fitzgerald on being named the 2024 Dorothy B. Griffin Irishwoman of the Year. Theresa was born in Springfield in Hungry Hill. She has been married to Kevin Fitzgerald for 31 years and is the mother to 3 children; Sean, Garrett & Eileen. Theresa recently retired as a software developer from MassMutual after 41 years.
Newsletter / Newsblast	The Club's conversion to an email format for our newsletter is ongoing. This conversion is a substantial savings to the Club in postage, printing and labor, as well as being an eco-friendly alternative. If you have not already done so, please send your email address to soewestfield@gmail.com to receive your newsletter online.
2024 Club Officers	Congratulations to the 2024 Club Officers President - Steve Griffin Vice President - Mike Kane Treasurer - Steve Witkus Sgt. at Arms - Kevin Fitzgerald Recording Secretary - Megan Sweet Membership Secretary - Dennis Moran Board of Directors Joe Conroy Dermot Hurley Mike McMahon Paul Miller Bridget Rodgers Steve Burke
Quote of the Month	"The thinnest yellow light of November is more warming and exhilarating than any wine they tell of" — Henry David Thoreau ☘️
General Membership Meetings	The Club's General Membership meetings are held on the first Sunday of each month at 12:00 noon. Meetings are usually suspended for the summer months of June, July and August.
Commemorative Bricks	The Building Committee is selling Commemorative Bricks that will be used to pave a "Memorial Walkway" leading to the 911 Memorial at the Club. These bricks can be inscribed in the memory of a departed family member, loved one, or with your own name. The Walkway enhances the beauty of the 911 Memorial dedicated in the memory of Daniel Trant, Tara Creamer and Brian Murphy. Cost is $75.00 per brick. Forms are located at the Club and here under "List of Forms".
Commemorative Veteran's Coins	The Club has created a Commemorative Veteran Coin to be issued to the Club's Irish-American Veterans. You are also eligible to receive one on behalf of a deceased family member that was a veteran. The coins can be personalized with an engraving at your own expense. Please contact Dermot Hurley to receive your coin.
Club Dues	General Membership - $70.00, Seniors Over 62 - $35.00. Women's Aux - $35.00, Seniors Over 55 - $17.50. There is a $10.00 late fee for payment after February 1st. An initial one-time fee of $100.00 for new general members will be assessed. This fee is waived for new members between the ages of 21-35.