Queen and court named for Saturday’s Countryside’s St. Paddy Day Parade

By Steve Metsch

When the seventh St. Patrick’s Day Parade kicks off at 1 p.m. Saturday in Countryside, Colleen Ramicone will have a great view.

Ramicone, a junior at Nazareth Academy and a Countryside resident, will ride atop a float as queen of the parade.

Her appointment was announced at the Countryside City Council meeting on Feb. 22.

Joining the queen in her court are Isabella Broderick and Sophia Foltz, both juniors at Nazareth, and Katie Springer, a sixth-grader at Ideal School.

Ramicone is familiar with the parade, having been in the court last year when her sister reigned as queen.

Announcing Ramicone as this year’s queen, Ald. John Finn (1st Ward) said “this is the best meeting of the year.”

Ramicone, 16, said, “It feels really cool” to be the queen. “I get to represent the city of Countryside and my Irish heritage. And I get to be in the parade.”

Ramicone volunteers at the St. Cletus food pantry, is a member of the environmental club at Nazareth and also volunteers for St. Cletus’ giving tree. She enjoys playing lacrosse, skiing, art and her new puppy.

Broderick, 16, of La Grange Park, volunteers with the Hinsdale Humane Society and for the Sisters of St. Joseph. She enjoys playing hockey and lacrosse.

“Colleen thought I’d be good for the role,” said Broderick. She and Ramicone are on the lacrosse team at Nazareth. The season starts soon.

Foltz, 17, of La Grange, is in the investment, future health care, youth initiative and smile clubs at Nazareth.

Springer, 12, of Countryside, and her family are active members of St. Cletus Parish. She enjoys reading, theater, dance, baking and travel.

Lanie Riley, 7, of Countryside, was named princess. She is an Irish dancer, is a first-grader at Pleasantdale Elementary School, a Girl Scout and last year served as honorary mayor for a day.

Countryside resident Kevin Dahill is the parade’s grand marshal, said Mayor Sean McDermott, who recalled the parade’s humble origin.

“This parade came about when Tim Ryan and I were having a pint at Kenny’s one afternoon and came up with this crazy idea.

“One of the first people we talked to was Kevin, would you be able to do your bagpiping? (He said) ‘absolutely.’ As a token of our appreciation, we want to make you the grand marshal,” McDermott said.