Six contenders vying to be Agawam colleen

Agawam’s reigning colleen Julia Nicosia, seen here during last year’s Holyoke St. Patrick’s Parade, will crown this year’s coleen on Feb. 7.
Reminder Publishing file photo

AGAWAM — Next month, Julia Nicosia — Agawam’s reigning colleen — will crown one of six young women who are hoping to succeed her for 2026.

In early January, the Agawam St. Patrick’s Committee nominated colleen contestants Zoie Leopardi, Ava Levesque, Samantha Machos, Hannah Newsome, Summer Smith and Madelynn Szemela.

One of them will be chosen as colleen at a gala coronation ceremony on Feb. 7. Five runner ups will be become the colleen’s court. Brief biographies of them appear at the end of this story.

They will represent Agawam at the 73nd Holyoke St. Patrick’s Parade, which is Sunday, March 22. The colleen and her court also will attend numerous events and functions throughout the year, including Agawam’s Memorial Day Parade.

An important factor in the colleen selection process is a commitment by the contestants to their Irish heritage. A three-judge panel — independent from Agawam and who live and work in surrounding communities — will select the colleen based on interviews with contestants.

Judges, who will be revealed at the start of the event, will ask about academics, athletics, extracurriculars/volunteer activities as well as interest in a contestant’s Irish heritage. Contestants also will be required to write an essay about a person of Irish descent — living or deceased — who made a significant difference in their lives. The winning essay — which will be read during the ceremony — will be selected by the family of the late William Pfau, a founding member of the committee.

Agawam’s 24th colleen coronation will take place at St. Anne’s Country Club in Feeding Hills. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m., with the program starting at 6 p.m. Tickets are $55 per adult and $30 per child. They can be reserved by emailing agawamstpatricks317@gmail.com or on online at zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/24th-annual-colleen-coronation-and-award-ceremony.

The grand coronation also marks the beginning of “Irish Season” — about a six-week period filled with Irish events and celebrations — that ends in March with the St. Patrick’s Parade.

“With six applicants this year, all of them can participate in the Irish Season,” said Abaigeal “Abbie” Fiore, president of the committee. “They also will help the committee share and promote our Irish heritage with the town. It’s not only an exciting time for our applicants, but the committee also cherishes having these young women celebrate their family and heritage.”

The committee was established 26 years ago by a group of people of Irish descent in Agawam who decided to bring out their Irish spirit. Although Agawam is a predominantly Italian community, they wanted to form a St. Patrick’s committee so everyone could celebrate the “Green Season.”

The committee meets regularly to ensure there’s an annual celebration of Irish culture throughout town while also promoting Agawam — economically, culturally and socially. Taking a page from surrounding communities that celebrate their Irish heritage, the committee also created its own colleen program.

In addition to Fiore, other members of the committee include Douglas Reed, past president; Kris Sills, vice president; Nikolas Fiore, treasurer; Dawn DeMatteo, clerk; Tim McGrew and Todd Arsalanian, directors.

Colleen biographies

Zoie Leopardi

Leopardi currently is a student at Westfield High School taking courses in anatomy, physiology, math, English and history. After high school, Leopardi plans on working toward her nursing degree to become a nurse in the NICU or pediatrics. A varsity cheerleading team member, she won the winter 2024 award for most improved cheerleader. She currently works at McDonald’s and has volunteered with Wreaths Across America and open pantries. Leopardi wants to be the 2026 colleen because it’s a fun and interesting way to explore and celebrate Irish traditions.

Ava Levesque

Levesque currently attends Quinnipiac University’s School of Nursing and is a graduate of Agawam High School. At Quinnipiac, she’s the treasurer-elect for the Nurses Association, and job shadows in the Pediatric Procedures Unit at Baystate. In spring 2025, she studied abroad at the Universidad de Sevilla in Spain. Ava currently works at A Place to Nourish Your Health in New Haven, Connecticut, as a receptionist. She volunteers for the Walk to End Alzheimer’s and with the Massachusetts Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery in Agawam. Levesque wants to be the 2026 colleen to serve the community, and use her voice to promote Irish pride in Agawam.

Samantha Machos

Machos currently is a senior at Agawam High School where she’s taking honors courses in history, chemistry and AP language. After high school, Machos plans on majoring in criminology and psychology with a dream of joining the FBI. She recently received the 2025 Certificate of Excellence in Forensics. At AHS, she is a member of the Peer Leadership Club and Chiefs. Machos currently is a hostess at Storrowton Tavern and a security guard at Six Flags New England. A colleen contestant in 2025, Machos wants to be the 2026 colleen to encourage young ladies to have fun, show respect and to not be afraid to try something different and step out of their comfort zone.

Hannah Newsome

Newsome is currently a senior at Agawam High School. She is part of the National Honors Society, French and History National Honors Societies as well as captain of the varsity swim and dive team. Newsome represented AHS at the Massachusetts Celebration of National Girls and Women in Sports Day 2025. Newsome works at the Springfield Country Club as a head lifeguard and swim coach. After high school, she plans to attend a four-year university or college and swim at the collegiate level. Newsome wants to be the 2026 colleen to embrace her Irish heritage, represent her town and make her Irish Nana proud.

Summer Smith

Smith, a graduate of Agawam High School. currently attends the University of Florida she’s majoring in psychology and pre-med. At the university, she has taken a variety of behavioral and psychology classes. She is a four-time Scholastic All American, a member of the USA National Team, and a member of the 2022 FINA World Championships. Smith works as an Ocular Technician at New England Retina Consultants with hopes to be a retinal surgeon. Smith wants to be the 2026 colleen to embody the resilience associated with her Irish heritage.

Madelynne Szemela

Szemela is currently a senior at St. Mary’s High School in Westfield where she’s taking college prep courses. An honor roll student, she’s dual enrolled at Elms College. After high school, Szemela plans on obtaining a degree in animal science with the goal of owning her own business in Equine Rehabilitation Therapy. Szemela is part of the varsity basketball team and is a competitive equestrian rider. She has worked with the Epilepsy Foundation and has been an Irish Step Dancer. Szemela wants to be the 2026 colleen because she has a deep appreciation of her Irish culture and community.