Feb. 18, 2009
CHICAGO- Former UIC volleyball student-athlete Julie Popp (Chicago, Ill./Queen of Peace H.S.) was named the Queen of the 54th annual St. Patrick's Day Parade of Chicago this past Sunday, Feb. 15 at the Stephen M. Bailey Auditorium in the West Loop.
Popp, who was a libero on the volleyball team from 2002-2006, was selected from a group of over 130 contestants for the prestigious honor.
"It's very exciting to be able to represent my Irish heritage in the city of Chicago for the 2009 St. Patrick's Day Parade," said Popp, who now serves the UIC Athletic Department as an academic advisor to current student-athletes. "I'd like to thank the Chicago Journeyman Plumbers' Local Union 130 UA for their longtime sponsorship of this great honor and my family for their support."
In addition to Popp's selection as the parade Queen, former UIC cross country/track and field student-athlete Kerry Brennan (Orland Park, Ill./Sandburg H.S.) was one of four women named to "The Queen's Court" of the parade. Brennan was a long distance standout for the Flames from 2004-2008.
Prominent Chicagoans of Irish heritage served as judges of the Queen contest and considered qualities such as grace, sincerity, beauty, poise, personality and wit in their selection of the queen and her court.
Popp and Brennan will serve in major roles during famous Chicago traditions surrounding the celebration of St. Patrick's Day. The Queen, her Court and the Shannon Rovers Bagpipe Band will visit Chicago's City Hall and personally deliver a parade invitation to the Honorable Richard M. Daley, Mayor of Chicago. They will also deliver invitations to other civic and political leaders to march at the front of the parade.
In addition to their participation in the Downtown Chicago Parade on March 14 and the South Side Chicago Parade on March 9, the Queen and her Court will also represent the Chicago St. Patrick's Day Parade Committee at a variety of events throughout the year, including the renowned dyeing of the Chicago River green on March 14.
For more information on the 2009 St. Patrick's Day Parade, the Queen and her Court and photos, visit chicagostpatsparade.com.
