Irish juniors win national honors

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Neighbors | Submitted.The AOH-LAOH Juniors recently installed new members, from left; (front) Breanne Donoghue, retiring vie-president, Breanne Thompson, newly installed secretary, Rachel Kepley, newly installed president, Lauren Kepley, retiring president, Alexis Jacobs, historian, Mary Kate Kelty, Catholic action; (back) Erin Loomis, treasurer and Christine Kerrigan, new vice-president.

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Neighbors | Submitted.The Juniors, including from left; (front) Morgan Donnelly, Brighid Donnelly, Alexis Jacobs, Rachel Kepley, Ashley and Breanne Thompson; (back) Heather Foust and Kristen Eckman stood with a poster of famous Irish writers. .They studied these writers and learned about thei history.

The Golden Rose Queen of Ireland Junior Division, from the Mahoning County, had the “best scrapbook in the country” at the National AOH-LAOH Convention July 11-14 in Cincinnati.

The group won a $200 prize for their scrapbook.

Membership in the Juniors is open to interested Catholic girls between 6 and 18, Irish by decent or adoption.

The motto of the Juniors is “In friendship, unity and Christian charity.”

The Juniors take the motto to heart through action in numerous selfless involvements in service projects. Many of the service projects are featured in the scrapbook.

At meetings, the girls study American and Irish history.

The focus is on Ireland’s poets, history, traditions, ancient Celtic Crosses, famous Irish women, Irish music, and Irish Saints - St. Patrick, St. Brigid and St. Columba.

The Juniors will participate in Sunday’s Mass at the Gathering of the Irish Clans in the Offertory procession and singing “Our Lady of Knock”.

Many of the Junior membership are students of the Theresa Burke School of Irish Dance and have enjoyed great success in local, national and world competitions, along with “dance outs” for local charitable events.

The Burke/Juniors team participated in Boardman Relay For Life and raised $8,350.