New Colleen crowned in Chicopee

CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) - A coronation ball took place at the Castle of Knights on Memorial Drive.

A panel of judges whittle a field of 24 girls down to five and then a single question determined which of those girls would be crowned the city's Colleen.

22News caught up with the winner who told us what her Irish heritage means to her.

Mckenzie Vershon says, “My family is from Ireland so having the opportunity to go to Ireland is going to be so amazing. I’m so grateful. It's just a very big part of my life and my Irish is a very close thing to my heart. So I'm so excites. “

Along with title of Colleen, she wins a trip to Ireland and will get to represent the city during the Holyoke St. Patrick's Parade.

This year the parade will be held on St. Patrick's Day March 17th.