64th Annual
2026
AGAWAM | FEEDING HILLS | WEST SPRINGFIELD
FEBRUARY 12, 2026 | FREE
WWW.THEREMINDER.COM
FEBRUARY 13th - 16th Eastern States Exposition Fair Grounds, West Springfield, MA
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IN THIS
EDITION AGAWAM
Town seeks names of Agawam veterans for new monument The Agawam Veterans’ Service Office has completed its mission to fund a fifth monument for veterans who have served since the Vietnam War. Now underway is a campaign to identify the names of veterans.
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Data shows multilingual students making ‘good gains’
Agawam schools have a diverse multilingual population of nearly 300 students who speak nearly 30 different languages, increasing the complexity of the work teachers do with these students.
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WEST SPRINGFIELD
Student art made into mural at Memorial Elementary Funded by a grant from the West Springfield Cultural Council, Principal Karen Albano commissioned artist Ramiro Davaro-Comas to create a mural made up of images that all came from the students’ imagination.
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Patience pays off for Agawam’s new colleen By Mike Lydick Correspondent
AGAWAM — Waiting with the five other contenders vying to become Agawam’s 2026 colleen, Ava Levesque was nervous, but tried her best to stay calm. Her anxiety quickly turned to joy when her name was announced as the new colleen. “I’m very excited to be the colleen, but it was surreal to hear my name called,” said Levesque afterwards, adding that she didn’t expect to win. “In all honesty. I was with a bunch of great girls, very experienced, very knowledgeable, sweet, beautiful girls. They’re amazing,” said Levesque. The 20-year-old was crowned at the Agawam St. Patrick’s Committee’s 24th annual coronation event last Saturday night, Feb. 7, at St. Anne’s Country Club in Feeding Hills. The five runners-up selected for Levesque court are Zoie Leopardi, Samantha Machos, Hannah Newsome, Summer Smith and Madelynne “Maddie” Szemela. Levesque is a graduate of Agawam High School and now attends Quinnipiac University’s School of Nursing in Hamden, Connecticut. At Quinnipiac, she’s the treasurer-elect for the nurses’ association. Levesque also job shadows in the Pediatric Procedures Unit at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield. She started Irish step dancing when she was very young. Once she learned everything about her Irish heritage, Levesque knew that becoming colleen was an option for her. “It had been on my mind ever since high school. But it just never panned out for me — it was never a good time. I was always busy or there was some other event going on and I couldn’t commit myself.”
Agawam’s 2026 colleen, Ava Levesque (center), is surrounded by members of her court (from left), Madelynne “Maddie” Szemela, Summer Smith, Samantha Machos, Hannah Newsome and Zoie Leopardi. Reminder Publishing photo by Mike Lydick
But Levesque believes everything happens for a reason, and waiting to become colleen was fortitudinous. “I definitely think that waiting those few years worked in my favor. I was able to gain some public speaking skills and become more confident about myself. I’m definitely not the same person I was two years ago.” Levesque said representing Agawam as its colleen means a lot to her, adding she has some “big shoes to fill.” Levesque has dreamed of this moment since she was little, so she believes she’s prepared for her new role. “I’m excited to see the younger kids along the parade route in Holyoke. I’m going into a pediatric nursing setting, so it will be great to see all the younger kids, especially knowing that I used to be there,” she said. “They’re going to be looking up at me now. I
want to serve as their role model. It’s going to be very rewarding for me this year as colleen.” A panel of three out-of-town judges made the difficult decision to choose Levesque. Judges based their decision on contestants’ biographies, interviews and essays they wrote. They were asked about their academics, athletics, extra-curriculars/volunteer activities as well as interest in their Irish heritage. Levesque and her court will represent Agawam at the 73nd Holyoke St. Patrick’s Parade, which is Sunday, March 22. They also will attend numerous events and functions throughout the year, including Agawam’s Memorial Day Parade. Smith won the William Pfau Cultural Award for her essay about a person of Irish descent — living or deceased — who made
a significant difference in her life. All contestants were required to write a 200- to 300-word essay on this topic. In her essay, Smith wrote about her father Sahwn who “profoundly shaped” her life. “He has steadfast loyalty to our family, continuously displays perseverance, despite daily challenges that come with an autoimmune disorder and has offered me his strength and guidance as not only my coach in athletics, but also as one of my biggest role models,” wrote Smith. Karen Pfau Turmel, the daughter of William Pfau, a founding member of Agawam’s St. Patrick’s Committee in 1999, presented the award on behalf of her family. She said her dad was “a very proud Irishman” who See COLLEEN on page 2