Wheaton Teacher Chosen for Queen's Court at St. Patrick's Day Parade

A Wheaton art teacher whose fond childhood memories include attending the Chicago St. Patrick's Day parade every year will represent the area's Irish community when she rides in the parade as a member of the St. Patrick's Day Parade Queen's Court March 17.

Each year, a Queen and four members of her court are selected in a competition run by the Plumbers Local Union 130. Last weekend, 30 to 35 judges selected Lauren Corry, an art teacher at , from a pool of 105 contestants to on the Queen's Court at the 57th St. Patrick's Day Parade.

According to the parade's website, judges include Chicagoans of Irish heritage, who consider a contestant's grace, sincerity, beauty, poise, personality and wit. 

Following the parade, the Queen, Corry's friend Sara Collins, and her court will represent the St. Patrick's Day Parade Committee and Chicago's Irish community at functions throughout the year, volunteering at shelters, churches and schools and networking with prominent Chicagoans and guests, such as the Prime Minister of Ireland.

She'll begin her role as a member of the court when the Queen and court deliver parade invitations to Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel and other civic and political leaders to march in the parade, according to the parade website.

Corry first made the Queen's Court in 2010, when she heard about the opportunity through a roommate, who was also on the court.

"My family is Irish and some of my favorite memories were going downtown to the parade and watching them dye the river green and being a part of that environment," Corry said. "So when I heard (of the Queen's Court)... I thought it'd be really cool."

Unsure whether she'd tryout for a spot in 2012 after being cut in 2011, she said her students inspired her to make a run for the court.

"I think they (students) look up to me... It's an opportunity to set an example as a leader in the community... To be chosen to represent this group is a pretty big honor, so I think it's fun for them to know they can come to the parade and see me," said Corry.

"I couldn't tell them no!" she said.

Corry said she is grateful to the Plumbers union to be on the court. "I'm excited for the whole year to be back," she said.