Recruiting Rose Hopefuls for 2016

Rose hopefuls at the 2015 Ohio Rose Selection Celebration in February. (Photo by Egon Luengo.) 

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On February 13, 2016, everything will be coming up roses when one special young lady of Irish descent becomes the 2016 Ohio Rose.  The upcoming Ohio Rose Selection Celebration is one of several North American Rose Centre selection rounds conducted in affiliation with Ireland’s Rose of Tralee International Festival, where the “2016 Rose of Tralee” will be named in August.  

Roses are evaluated by the manner in which they represent their lineage, pursue their aspirations, and exude inner beauty through charm, wit, intelligence, and grace.  

Several lasses from the Rockport area, neighboring Westshore communities and elsewhere in Northeast Ohio have participated in recent Ohio Rose selections, while other Rose candidates have traversed the state to take part in the annual selection event. Westshore communities have provided two successive Roses: 2015 Ohio Rose Kaytee Szente of Bay Village and 2014 Ohio Rose Grainne Mangan of Westpark. Annie Dunne of Fairview Park was named Ohio Rose in 2009.

Like her predecessors, the 2016 Ohio Rose will travel to Ireland (expenses paid) for The Rose of Tralee International Festival’s subsequent selection event. The Festival’s final selection nights routinely rank among the most highly-viewed televised programs in Ireland.

As the Ohio Rose Centre’s delegate, the 2016 Ohio Rose will grow accustomed to being in the public eye by participating in special events at home and abroad. When in Ireland, the Ohio Rose will be regarded as an ambassador for our state. Along with Roses from throughout the Emerald Isle, North America and various countries across the globe, the Ohio Rose will receive celebrity treatment and be feted by sponsors, judges, local officials, and an adoring public.

It is recommended that prospective Rockport area Rose applicants first verify their eligibility and availability before completing the Rose application and securing a sponsor. Detailed information is available at  www.ohiorose.com. 

It’s also advisable to apply sooner rather than later. While the posted application deadline is December 31, there’s always a chance that an earlier close date may be imposed if the application threshold is reached before the end of this month. All inquiries may be directed to info@ohiorose.com.

The Ohio Rose Centre is managed by Westlake World Partners, a non-profit organization formed to support Sister Cities programming for the City of Westlake.