Pageant winners selected

Irish American Club of Southern Minnesota member Anna Burns reminded the audience that Miss St. Patrick Carmen Miller and Miss Irish Rose Rachel Borneke had served in their positions for not one, not two, but three years, the longest stretch of time in club history.

“I think you two can keep your crowns at this point,” she joked. “You’ve earned it.”

But, of course, all good things must come to an end. Miller relinquished her title and crowned Emma Keith as Miss St. Patrick 2023; Borneke crowned Caitlin Slattery as this year’s Miss Irish Rose. In addition, Lauren White became the club’s first Miss Shamrock.

Keith and Slattery are Waseca residents (with Slattery having ties to Janesville) while White is a Janesville native.

All three displayed great talents for the show. Keith sang “Danny Boy" with piano accompaniment presented by Becky Borneke, while Lauren White performed the traditional Irish piece on clarinet. Slattery recited an original poem about what it means to her to be Irish.

In addition to presenting their talents, Burns asked each candidate to respond to a question. Keith and White were asked what it meant to them to be Irish and how they hope to explore their heritage. Both said that stories their families told of traditions made them want to discover more about their roots. White claimed she often talked about the family origin story (in her case, the Cahill side) with her grandfather.

Slattery was asked what she believes it takes to be a great role model. “Giving good advice while listening to others and not turning down other points of view,” was part of her answer.

As the judges spent time tallying up their points, Miss St. Patrick 2020 Carmen Miller reprised her talent from the last pageant, performing “Lady of Knock,” written by Irish singer and politician Dana Rosemary Scallon, with Borneke accompanying her on the piano.

Afterwards, the crowning took place: All three contestants were proclaimed royalty. Retiring title holders  Miller and Borneke gave their congratulations and talked with the new royalty about what it means to represent the club the rest of the night. They may have lost their crowns, but they can still brag that they are the longest-reigning royalty in the club’s history.