Applications for Mr. and Miss Shamrock Due on December 1

The Greater Bridgeport St. Patrick's Day Celebration Committee announced that applications are available for the 2020 Mr. and Miss Shamrock College Scholarship Program. Completed applications are due on December 1, 2019 according to the program organizer Colleen Sargent Murphy. The Awards Ceremony will be held on Saturday, December 14, 2019 at 6 PM at the Gaelic-American Club in Fairfield.

All high school seniors of Irish descent in the greater Bridgeport area are encouraged to complete an application that can be found on the Parade Committee's website and in local high school guidance counselor's offices. All candidates will be interviewed by an independent panel of judges and winners are chosen based upon their knowledge of their Irish heritage, traditions, history, the meaning of St. Patrick's Day, their involvement in their community, their interests and activities. The winners receive a monetary scholarship award of $4,000 for future educational endeavors. Runners-up also are awarded a scholarship of $2,000.

The program has been competitive since its founding in 1988 when Eileen Doonan was named Miss Shamrock. Coincidentally her mother, Mary Ann Doonan, is the Grand Marshal of the 2020 Greater Bridgeport St. Patrick's Day Parade. The Mr. Shamrock component was added in 1993 when Pat Boland was selected. Last year, students from Fairfield Prep, Fairfield Ludlowe and Fairfield Warde were winners, although the program is open to students in all high schools throughout the region.

Mr. & Miss Shamrock will participate in all the Greater Bridgeport St. Patrick's Day Parade festivities including riding on the float during the parade in downtown Bridgeport. The next parade will be held on Tuesday, March 17, 2020 at Noon. For more information and for an applicaton visit, http://stpatricksdaybridgeport...