Miss Mayo - 2011
Hello! My name is Kathleen Walsh Paulson, and I am a junior accounting
major with marketing minor at Neumann University. Not only am I a full-time student, but I
have also fully embraced my role as an active member of the Neumann University
community. My mother, two of my aunts, and my great aunt all attend Neumann, so when
entering the school my first role was being legacy student. I then became an honor student
following my first semester, and still remain on the honor role. In my second year I became
very involved in the Neumann Community. I am the Neumann Navigator Student
Coordinator, which means I give tours to potential students, but I also am one of the liaisons
between the students and the staff that work in the admissions office. I was also lucky enough
to be picked to participate in the 2010 alternative spring break to New Orleans. Louisiana. In
NOLA my group worked with the Catholic Charities Organization in some of the final stages
of the relief efforts. We were able to landscape the lawns New Orleans residents which were
destroyed in the floods. We were also able to work directly with New Orleans residents, and
meet amazing people who had given up their lives to help with the relief efforts. I not only
was able to volunteer in New Orleans, but also in our local area. I have worked with Habit for
Humanity building a home for a family who could not afford to do so on their own. I have
also worked with Sandwiches for Survival, which provides food for local poor communities.
All of these volunteer opportunities are available for me to participate in thanks to Neumann.
I am also a Presidential Ambassador for Neumann University’s President, Dr. Rosalie
Mirenda. I was honored to be nominated by Sr. Marguerite O’Beirne, who is on the Board of
Trustees and the Vice President of Mission and Ministry, but also a caring compassionate
woman from Sligo. My appreciation and gratitude for Sr. Marguerite and her major role in
helping me feel welcome and become a member of the community is beyond measure.
The reason that I chose Neumann was because of the community atmosphere, which I
grew up with and became accustomed to at my home in Delaware. I am so fortunate to have
two loving parents who have been married for close to twenty-five years. They have
supported and loved me since the day I was born. When I started playing soccer my dad
coached my team, and then when I switched to volleyball my mom coached. And when I
started to Irish dance of course they were both there for me every step of the way. I do not
know why I was blessed with such great parents, but I am so grateful everyday of my life. I
also have a younger brother who is an intelligent and talented in so many ways, but also is one
of my biggest fans and best friends. I am so proud of him for everything he has accomplished.
I believe my family is so close because of our love of Irish dancing, which we would never be
a part of if not for our ancestors. Irish dancing has allowed for all of us to have so many
opportunities. My mother danced when she was young and passed her love of the dance to my
brother and me. As young children we danced for a school local to our area. We were able to
do so much for our community. Every “St. Patrick’s Day Season” we would go to all the
different local retirement and nursing homes and hospitals. Every day of the week we would
be at a different place. All the time that we had given up was worth it when we would see the
happiness and joy on the faces of those that were unable to leave the homes and hospitals.
One moment that sticks out in my head is when we preformed in the Helen F. Graham Cancer
Center. We preformed in the lobby, but then we were able to go to the chemo treatment room,
to perform for those who were unable to get down to the lobby. To see the appreciation on the
faces of the patients who realized that someone thought of them was an indescribable moment
for me. My grandfather, grandmother, and aunt had all gone through treatment in that exact
room. I felt I was not dancing for patients, but real people. I have preformed for renowned
author Frank McCourt, celebrated musician Eileen Ivers, former President of Ireland Mary
Robinson, and current Vice President Joseph Biden, but no performance has meant more to
me then the day that I preformed for those struggling with an illness that has affected my
family so much. I had seen pure happiness in the faces of those sitting in the treatment room
that day, but I also know that there was happiness in my eyes as well. I will be eternally
grateful for my mother passing down her heritage to me and allowing me to have so many
meaningful opportunities.
I also have the privilege of personally knowing the reigning Miss Mayo. And I know
that in receiving this honor to-nite I have immeasurable shoes to fill. Caitlin Lotty is one of
the role models in my life. She is an amazing woman that brought me into her family and has
taught me so much about the Irish culture. I know I have a forever faithful friend in her.
I realize that though my Irish heritage that my definition of family is different than
most. I know family is not just your blood relatives, but anyone who supports you and loves
you and wants you to succeed. So even though my immediate family can only have claims to
Cork, Galway, Waterford and of course, Mayo I feel that I am from all over Ireland because
of the Irish woman that I have encountered and influenced me and would consider a part of
my family.
I would like to thank each one of you individually for your time and attention, and I
am honored to be chosen to represent the Mayo society of Philadelphia for the 2010-2011
year.
Kathleen W. Paulson
Miss Mayo – 2011