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Certificates of Recognition honoring the 2017 Pittsburgh St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee and Grand Marshal, the Allegheny County AOH Hibernian of the Year, the Irish Society for Education & Charity and 2017 Miss Smiling Irish Eyes and her Court.
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This Certificate of Recognition is awarded to the members of the 2017 Pittsburgh St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee for their work in organizing and carrying out Pittsburgh’s annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Since its inception, the St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee has been the driving force behind the annual Parade, coordinating and managing all efforts in bringing the community together to ensure the success of this treasured event. The 2017 St. Patrick’s Day Parade will feature nearly 200 marching units, including bands, floats, several police, fire and emergency service agencies, along with many groups from Pittsburgh’s Irish community. Allegheny County Council commends the Pittsburgh St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee for their diligent efforts and dedication to making the annual Parade an unmatched celebration of Irish heritage.
This Certificate of Recognition is awarded to Ms. Jan Griffith upon her selection as Grand Marshal of the 2017 Pittsburgh St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Ms. Griffith has been a member of the parade committee since 1992, and has served in many capacities prior to her current role as Organizer. In that role, she is responsible for managing 23,000 participants. Throughout the year, she is involved in other Irish-heritage activities that include serving as a staff member with the Pittsburgh Irish Festival, where she serves as coordinator of the Irish Dog Exhibit. She has served as a volunteer, managing vendors and Irish groups for the annual Irish Day at South Park and she has managed vendors at the National AOH/LAOH convention. From 2002-2004, Ms. Griffith was President of the Western Chapter of the Irish American Unity Conference (IAUC). Jan, whose maiden name is Allen, traces her ancestral Driscoll family roots to County Cork. Allegheny County Council commends Ms. Griffith for her passion and dedication to both Pittsburgh’s Irish community and to its St. Patrick’s Day Parade. We congratulate Ms. Griffith upon receiving this honor and thank her for her numerous and immeasurable contributions.
This Certificate of Recognition is awarded to Mr. Denny Maher upon his selection as Allegheny County’s Ancient Order of Hibernians (AOH) 2017 Hibernian of the Year. Mr. Maher is the immediate Past President of AOH Division 32 Sean MacBride Chapter in Carnegie, Pennsylvania. His tireless efforts to better others and his unmatched dedication to the Irish Community, and to Allegheny County as a whole, exemplify the characteristics sought after in Allegheny County’s Hibernian of the Year. Allegheny County Council congratulates Mr. Maher for the monumental honor bestowed upon him and thanks him for all of his contributions to better our community.
This Certificate of Recognition is awarded to The Irish Society for Education & Charity, Inc. for its dedication to the members of Pittsburgh’s Irish community and to Pittsburgh’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Since 1992 the ISEC has provided sponsorship, leadership and guidance to the Pittsburgh St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee in its efforts to organize and execute what has been referred to the nation’s second largest St. Patrick’s Day Parade. The organization also supports Pittsburgh’s Irish community by awarding scholarships to local Irish students and by making donations to area groups and causes. Allegheny County Council commends The Irish Society for Education & Charity for their passionate and tireless efforts to support Pittsburgh’s Irish community and thanks them for all of their numerous contributions.
This Certificate of Recognition is awarded to Ms. Sydney Diulus in honor of being named the 2017 Miss Smiling Irish Eyes Queen of Pittsburgh. Ms. Diulus exhibits distinguished Irish qualities and displays her pride for her Irish heritage by participating in Pittsburgh’s vibrant Irish community. Sydney is a senior at Duquesne University, where she is a biology/pre-med major and dean’s list student. She has studied abroad at the University College Dublin, and is an honors graduate of Montour High School. Sydney has been an active member of National Service Sorority Gamma Sigma Sigma, and Duquesne University’s Pre-Medical Student Organization. She has volunteered at Camp Erin Children’s Grief Camp, The Children’s Institute, and UPMC Mercy Hospital. Sydney is a member of Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians Division 23. By being crowned Miss Smiling Irish Eyes Queen of Pittsburgh, Ms. Diulus will reign over Pittsburgh’s 2017 St. Patrick’s Day Parade. We congratulate Ms. Diulus on this fine honor and wish her the best of luck in all of her future endeavors.
This Certificate of Recognition is awarded to Ms. Colleen Marie Bench in honor of being named a 2017 Miss Smiling Irish Eyes of Pittsburgh Court Maiden. Colleen is a freshman at Penn State University, where she majors in kinesiology. She has served as an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion; a member of the Kinesiology Club; and a member of the Dancer Relations Committee of THON, Penn State’s dance marathon that raises funds for children with cancer. A graduate of Seton La Salle Catholic High School, she was a member of the National Honors Society; the National English Honor Society; the Westinghouse Science Honors Institute; marching band; lacrosse team; golf team; the Liturgy Choir; Rebels for Life; and Drama Club cast member. She has been active in competitive Irish dancing, first with the Bell School of Irish Dance, and now as a member of the Irish dance club Rince na Leon at Penn State. Ms. Bench demonstrates an outstanding moral spirit by volunteering within organizations that benefit our community. We congratulate Ms. Bench on this fine honor and wish her the best of luck in all of her future endeavors.
This Certificate of Recognition is awarded to Ms. Megan Rohde in honor of being named a 2017 Miss Smiling Irish Eyes of Pittsburgh Court Maiden. Ms. Rohde exhibits distinguished Irish qualities and displays pride for her Irish heritage by participating in Pittsburgh’s vibrant Irish community. Megan is a senior at Steel Valley High School, and plans to attend Penn State University’s Behrend Campus in the Fall, where she will major in Plastics Engineering Technology. She is a member of the National Honors Society and earned High Honors throughout high school. She has been a member of the varsity swim team, Students Against Destructive Decisions, The Future is Mine, the French Club and the History Club. She has also volunteered at a local cancer center and tutored elementary school students. She studied the bagpipe with the Balmoral School of Pipes and Drums, has taken piano lessons and is trained and certified in CPR and as a lifeguard. Ms. Rohde demonstrates an outstanding moral spirit by volunteering within organizations that benefit our community. We congratulate Ms. Rohde on this fine honor and wish her the best of luck in all of her future endeavors.