• Irish Eyes were still smiling even though the St. Patrick’s Day Parade is canceled. But Lenten fish fry attendees may be frowning as many of the popular events switch to takeout only.
Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald crowned Stephanie O’Donnell as Miss Smiling Irish Eyes 2020 on Friday at the annual luncheon at the Rivers Club in Downtown.
But before he did, he had to address the elephant in the room: the cancellation of Saturday’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade, which usually prominently features Miss Smiling Irish Eyes and her court.
“This is a year I think we’ll all remember,” Mr. Fitzgerald said of the changes forced by the COVID19 pandemic. “But these three, the Smiling Irish Eyes and the court, very special young women, who really give us in Allegheny County and Pittsburgh a great thought and great optimism in our future.”
Mr. Fitzgerald also thanked the people who were able to come to the event.
“As we try to grapple with what we’re dealing with and making sure all our families are safe, particularly the loved ones with health issues with suppressed immune systems, particularly the elderly, we have to take care to do all the things that the medical professionals are recommending,” Mr. Fitzgerald said. “In doing that, the spirit of what we celebrate today and tomorrow and this weekend and on through [March] 17th can’t be forgotten.”
Then the sound of a bagpipe filled the room as Miss Smiling Irish Eyes and her court walked to the podium, where she was crowned.
“Today is an honor. I’m really humbled and excited to have this honor, especially with these two girls, and to come together and represent the city of Pittsburgh,” said Ms. O’Donnell, 19, of Irwin. “It’s so awesome to see, and I love being here.”
Growing up with Irish grandparents, Ms. O’Donnell, a graduate of Penn-Trafford High School, stays very involved with Irish community events — going to the St. Patrick’s Day Parade and helping the Hibernian Hunger Project that works with food banks in Pittsburgh.
“Today just brought everything together,” said Ms. O’Donnell, wearing her crown, green robe and a sash with the words “Miss Smiling Irish Eyes 2020” in glitter. “I’m so proud to be Irish.”
Although she said she is disappointed about the parade’s postponement, she said she realizes the parade committee and the city are looking out for the best interests of everyone.
“It will be a little bit weird, but I’m still honored to have this whole award,” Ms. O’Donnell said. “I think there is still so much to be
honored and so excited and proud.”
For the future, Ms. O’Donnell wants to use part of her new platform to help spread more positivity.
“I just want to teach everyone to be kind and treat everybody with respect because you never know what they’re going through and just to be proud of who you are,” she said. “I know being here taught me that everyone is so close-knit and you can love everybody.”
As a freshman at Slippery Rock University, Ms. O’Donnell said her school is also taking preventative measures by extending spring break for two weeks until March 29.
“It’s kind of nice to be home with my family, but at the same time I do miss it, because I love college. But I think going forward the teachers and everybody at college will do their best to make sure we get our best education still,” she said.
Wearing tiaras of their own, the court maidens, Courtney McGinley, 18, of Squirrel Hill, and Kelly Bench, 19, of Peters, by Ms. O’Donnell’s side during the ceremony.
This honor also hits home for Ms. McGinley, an Allderdice High School student, as her aunt was one of the founders of the Ladies of the Ancient Order of Hibernians Division 23.
“It’s such an honor,” Ms. McGinley said. “It’s honestly huge. I’m speechless. It’s so fun meeting everyone, meeting these two girls and just having two new friends a part of the Irish community. It’s just such a sisterhood to me.”
Ms. Bench, whose older sisters were also in the Smiling Irish Eyes court, has looked up to Miss Smiling Irish Eyes winners all her life.
“It’s always been something to look forward to and hope for,” Ms. Bench said. “I’m just so excited to be here and be honored.”
Ms. Bench, who has been Irish dancing for around 15 years, said she brought her passion for her heritage to
Penn State’s Irish Dancing Team. And as Penn State has announced it’s moving classes online, Ms. Bench said that news is “good and bad.”
“I feel like it’s nice to still be home, but I already miss [school]. I love Penn State, so I miss my friends and everyone who is there,” Ms. Bench said.
“It’s weird that the parade is canceled since I’ve been a part of it for so long, but I’m very hopeful that it will all turn out well. I’m hoping it will be rescheduled,” she said.