This program is designed to introduce girls with Irish ancestry ages 6 through 12 years old and their families to the Arizona Colleen and Rose Program. Two titleholders of Little Miss Shamrock will debut and play a very important role on stage during the selection night for the Arizona Colleen and act as assistants to the reigning Colleen during the crowning. A tiara and prize package will be awarded each girl. They will ride in the St. Patrick's Day Parade and are invited to participate in area events throughout their reign.

The Arizona Irish Community welcomes two new Little Miss Shamrocks, selected among 20 contestants on Sunday, October 24, 2010 at the Irish Cultural Center in Phoenix. Hosted by the Arizona Colleen Committee, we believe in creating a fun occasion for everyone there, and recognize the importance of sharing the title rather than focusing on one winner takes all. Every participant received an “all things shamrock” gift bag, a Little Miss Shamrock contestant tee-shirt, and will ride in the 2011 St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Phoenix. The families and our local Irish can be VERY proud of these young ladies!

2011 Little Miss Shamrocks are:

Tessa Maré Henrich, age 11, of Phoenix. She has won many medals and 21 trophies competing in Irish dance. She had the lead in “An Irish Nutcracker” and also received 2nd runner-up in talent with Irish dancing at the National American Miss contest. Tessa also enjoys ballet, jazz, hip-hop, tap dance, musical theatre, reading, and hanging out with friends. Favorites include The Princess Bride and Avatar (movies); Connect 4 and Skipbo (games); and the books, Beware Princess Elizabeth by Carolyn Myer, and Firestar’s Quest by Erin Hunter. Her parents are active as performers of Irish music and dance. Tessa’s dream is to be “a great dance teacher because I love to teach little kids.”

MacKenzie Moore-Kosslow, age 9, of Chandler. MacKenzie enjoys drawing, designing clothes and homes, writing, reading, making videos, and is a Junior Girl Scout. She won several awards for math, reading, writing, science, and one for good behavior at school. She performs and competes in Irish dancing, including at Oireachtas. Her great-great-grandmothers on both sides are from Ireland, including a Fitzpatrick. MacKenzie’s favorites include Marley and Me and the new Karate Kid (movies); Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader and Twister (games); and the books, Love from your friend Hannah by Mindy Warshaw Skolsky and Hoot by Carl Hiassen. She would like a career as a dentist.

The Shamrock judges were Princess Constance of the Arizona Renaissance Festival in full costume, an Irish step dancer herself (for real!); Ellen Harrington, President of Chandler, Arizona-Tullamore, Ireland Sister Cities and Co-Chair of the Feis in the Desert; and Danielle McBurnett, 2010 Arizona Colleen~Arizona Rose, a Registered Nurse soon to complete her graduate work to become a Nurse Practitioner who served as Judges’ Chair. This event appreciates the generosity of its Shamrock Tiara sponsor The Irish Foundation of Arizona (info 480-345-9517). Special thanks to Jacquilyn Avery of DoChara Photography www.docharaphotography.com; and the hard-working volunteers.

Also participating this year (and ages) were McKenna Kramer 7; Caitlin Brogan 9; Aria Jones 9; Sarah Martin 8; Ceili Olney 7; Marlee Maher 10; Kiera Wesley 11; Mary Rita Brown 7; Tatum Maher 7; Roxy Jones 11; Holly Sullivan 12; Rebecca Grainger 6; Riley Pollard 11; Taryn Howells 12; Meghan van Dobben 10; Elizabeth McCoy 11; Megan Kernaghan 8; and Gabby Campbell Weber 10.

The 2010 Little Miss Shamrocks, Emilia Nallen of Phoenix and Alexandria Ellershaw of Surprise participated in the ceremonies. Tessa and MacKenzie each received an autographed copy of The Ghillie Girls: Irish Dance Pals by author and illustrator Heidi Barry Will, 2005 Colleen and Vice Chair of the Arizona Colleen Programs. The girls were each awarded a sash, tiara, flowers, a gift bag that included a charm bracelet, a shamrock pillow craft, and other items; and received an official invitation to join the Queen on Celtic Weekend to perform at the Arizona Renaissance Festival. Tessa and MacKenzie will officially “debut” at the Arizona Colleen and Rose of Tralee Selection on February 20, 2011. Tickets are available in person or by calling the Herberger Theatre Box Office at 602-252-8497; Third Street and Washington; Open Weekdays 10am-5pm, Weekends 12pm-5pm [additional fee if purchased online].