Area youths win chosen as irish heritage ambassadors

YONKERS, N.Y. — Brielle Takacs-Senske of Sparta and Jeremy Slate of Hamburg were named Rose and Ambassador at the annual Rose of Tralee competition for young Irish Leaders at Empire City Casino.

Each year, one girl is selected to represent New York, New Jersey and Connecticut in Ireland and New York has always had a strong showing in the international level of the contest.

Each young lady, known as a Rose, was led by a gentleman suitor, known as an Ambassador, though both parts of the pair are ambassadors for Irish Heritage. This year’s event, led by Master of Ceremonies Seamus Keane of The Narrowbacks band, added a youthful Irish presence.

The girls introduced themselves to the crowd, talked of charity, family stories and how they would help to preserve their Irish heritage. It was followed by ambassador interviews who were asked about the charity of their choosing.

As local representatives for the Foundation for a Drug-Free World, Slate and Takacs-Senske promoted the message of ending drug addiction and saving countless lives through education. The foundation has recently started a grassroots movement in Ireland to further the cause.