“It’s very, very exciting,” Peters said. “It was overwhelming. You just get thrown right into it.” And for next few weeks she gets treated like royalty.

Her royal duties are in addition to her already packed schedule. Peters is a first-year psychology student at Concordia University and a part-time lifeguard at the Westmount YMCA. Now she’s got a timetable filled with meet-and-greets, balls, banquets, and a parade. But it’s the glamorous St. Patrick’s Ball that she’s most looking forward to - she gets to buy a new dress.

Peters distinguished herself out of 25 other contestants for the princess crown. They were judged not just on personality and poise but public speaking. She wowed the judges with a speech on the Newgrange Tomb in Ireland, a World Heritage UNESCO site.

It was family that originally got her interested in her Irish heritage. “My grandmother was always telling us to go to Ireland. She’d tell us stories about our family there.”

Peters is a descendent of the Kirwins from Galway and the Mugans. She was lucky enough to travel with her family to Ireland last May.

Peters attended Roslyn School for her primary education before completing high school at Sacred Heart. She’s also a member of the Ascension of Our Lord Parish congregation.

She’ll be joined in her duties by fellow princesses Sarah Devaney-Pinsonnault, Charlene O'Sullivan, Jennifer Trainor and parade queen Briana Yerbury.

Centre Greene offers March Break program

It's a parent's annual headache: finding something for the kids to do during their March break. Centre Greene has a remedy — a fun-filled day program that will be held from Monday, March 3 to Friday, March 7 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. The program is for kids between the ages of 5 and 12.

Cost is $100 for the entire week or just $25 per day. Spaces are limited, so reservations are required. For more information or to reserve a spot, call 514-931-6202. Centre Greene is located at 1090 Greene Ave., south of Dorchester.

Huffman is new Bridge Club president

Members of Westmount's Monday Night Bridge Club have announced that Don Huffman will be the club's new president.

As a result of the club's recently held election for its new slate of officers, long-time president Stanley Baker will now become vice-president. Shikego Betts is the club's new secretary, and founder May Cutler will continue in her capacity of advisor and consultant. Huffman had previously served as vice-president of the club, which meets to play bridge in Victoria Hall each Monday night.

— Jessica Murphy