2012 Philadelphia Rose of Tralee Selection at The Radnor

On Sunday night, April 1st 2012 at The Radnor Hotel, ten anxious girls gathered with hopes of becoming the 2012 Philadelphia Rose of Tralee. After showcasing their personalities in individual interviews with a panel of three judges, followed by a live interview in The Radnor’s Grand Terrace Ballroom in front of over 150 supporters, The Rose was crowned. The room was silent with anticipation as Master of Ceremonies Jim Donovan of CBS announced that Elizabeth Spellman of Havertown will be going on to represent Philadelphia in the Regional Rounds at the end of May in Ireland. When Elizabeth was crowned, the room erupted with applause as she was embraced by her fellow contestants and scores of well-wishers

David Brennan, native of Ireland and General Manager of the Wayne Hotel, was one of the three judges at the Sunday evening event. Brennan was born and raised in Limerick, Ireland and regards the Rose of Tralee as one of the finest events of its kind on the International Stage. The exceptionally high caliber of this year’s participants presented a challenge to Brennan and his fellow judges, but in the end they felt confident in their decision. “The evening was a magnificent celebration of Philadelphia’s Irish heritage and it was an honor to participate on the judging panel.  Selecting the 2012 Philadelphia Rose of Tralee was no easy task, but the judges were unanimous in choosing Elizabeth Spellman.  She truly embodies the spirit of this honor and we feel she would be an excellent ambassador for Philadelphia on the International stage in Tralee in August” says Brennan.

Spellman, 27, was born and raised in Havertown and studied social work at The Catholic University of America. After graduation, she spent two years living in Honduras working at an orphanage for boys. While there, she taught English and became the home’s social worker; setting up trips for the boys to see their families, and providing local families in need with resources. She currently works as a social worker at St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children in Philadelphia. In addition to representing Philadelphia at the festival in Ireland, Elizabeth can look forward to a busy year of appearances and events in and around the greater Philadelphia area as The 2012 Philadelphia Rose of Tralee.

For more information on the Rose of Tralee, please visit their website.

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