December 12, 2025

St. Thomas principal named 2026 Parade Marshal for Springfield

REGIONAL
By Carolee McGrath

Beth Hawley, principal of St. Thomas the Apostle School, was named the 2026 Springfield St. Patrick Parade Marshal. She is pictured with her grandnieces, Willow (left) and Autumn Sullivan. (IObserve photo/courtesy of John Sullivan)

SPRINGFIELD —  Beth Hawley, the principal of St. Thomas the Apostle School in West Springfield, has been named the 2026 Parade Marshal by the Springfield St. Patrick’s Parade Committee. The awards were announced at a ceremony at Nathan Bill’s Restaurant in Springfield, Monday, Dec. 8.

Hawley has been teaching in Catholic schools in the Diocese of Springfield for 41 years. She was named the principal of St. Thomas the Apostle School in 2023. She was recognized three times in “Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers” and received the Grinspoon Teacher of Excellence, and the western MA Junior Achievement Teacher of the year awards. She has also coached basketball and softball at Holyoke High School and Dean Vocational High School. She coached soccer and basketball at Our Lady of the Elms College in Chicopee.

“To be chosen as the Parade Marshal for the St. Patrick’s Day Parade is an honor and a privilege that is extremely humbling. When I think of the Parade Marshals from years gone by, the men and women who embodied faith, heritage, and service to our community, I am truly humbled to be placed in that same category,” Hawley said.

Hawley grew in East Forest Park with her six siblings. She attended the former Holy Cross School and Cathedral High School. She graduated from Our Lady of the Elms College in Chicopee, where she played basketball and field hockey. She later earned her master’s degree in education at Our Lady of the Elms College.

“My Catholic faith and my Irish heritage are truly at the heart of who I am. They have shaped my values, guided my decisions, and grounded me throughout my life. Growing up and attending Catholic schools in Springfield, I was blessed to be surrounded by a strong sense of faith, community, and Irish pride,” Hawley said.

“My faith has taught me humility, service, and gratitude, while my heritage has instilled in me resilience, loyalty, and the importance of laughter and family,” she said.

Hawley will lead the Springfield contingent in the 73^rd annual Holyoke St. Patrick’s Parade, March 22, 2026.

“What I am most looking forward to is celebrating this experience with my family and friends. They are the people who have supported me and shaped me, and sharing this honor with them makes it even more meaningful. I am especially excited to carry the traditions of the St. Patrick’s Day celebrations forward to the younger generation, especially to my grandnieces and grandnephews,” Hawley said.

“Passing along our faith, our stories, and our sense of heritage is something I hold very close to my heart. The Irish dancing and parade marching will be celebrated with family members and friends, and this is what I’m looking forward to the most,” she said.

The committee presented three other awards: the Mary B. Troy award to the City Line Café; the Paul G. Caron award to Joe Christofori; and the John and Agnes Burke award to John Ford.

“Each year the members of the committee nominate and vote on award winners we feel will represent our committee, our values and our mission. More importantly we look for distinguished individuals or groups who have made a positive impact in the community. Finally we strive to find those who will make our city of Springfield proud,” said Caitlyn Dubay-Martin, Springfield St. Patrick’s committee president.

The city of Springfield sends the largest contingent to the Holyoke parade.

“Our committee is proud to honor these deserving award winners, who continue to strengthen our long-standing traditions and support the Irish community within the Greater Springfield Community area,” said Mary Kate Caron, the vice president of the committee.

Applications for the Springfield Colleen contest are open through Dec. 22. To learn more go https://www.springfieldstpatricksparade.org/application