Danielle McBurnette
Sedona, AZ–
The 2010 Arizona Colleen, Danielle McBurnett, serves as a spokesperson for the Irish Community in area events and will take part in the upcoming Celtic Harvest Festival in Sedona on September 25. “Colleen” refers to an Irish maiden reflecting that contestants must have some Irish ancestry, be single, without children, ages 18-27, and are judged on poise, communication skills, and talent. These competitions are not beauty contests but rather a selection process to recognize our youth in the Arizona Irish Community. Participating builds self-confidence on stage and introduces families to the Irish Cultural Center in downtown Phoenix and Irish communities throughout the State.
Competitions include Little Miss Shamrock for ages 6-12 and the Arizona Irish Lass for ages 13-17. Two girls from EACH contest (four total) are selected with a prize package awarded to each. Titleholders from these programs will be speaking and performing at the Sedona Charter School and Sedona Winds on September 24, and at Celtic Harvest Festival and Posse Grounds Café on the 25th.
Festival Colleens
The Celtic Harvest Festival Sedona will be held at Tequa Festival Marketplace, on SR 179 AZ’s First All American Rd from 10 am to 8 pm. In addition to local Celtic Artists, Phoenix Conservatory of Music will be working with the Celtic Harvest Festival Cultural Team to bring an outstanding program to Sedona elementary school students during Festival week. Friday the 24th is “Pub Night” 6 pm to 8:30 pm in the Kiva Courtyard when we thank our terrific volunteers with a night of Celtic music featuring the Shamrockers, a cash bar, raffle prizes and Celtic Community Sing. Public is welcome and admission is free for Friday evening. Saturday’s Festival will feature storytellers, dancers, pipers and musicians from all over the country. A special Children’s Courtyard will have balloon animals, face painting, a Treasure Hunt and fun for the whole family! The Festival will end with a ceilidh which is a social dance with instruction that the whole family can enjoy.
The 2010 Arizona Colleen, Danielle McBurnett, recently returned from Ireland where she carried her dual title as the 2010 Arizona Rose and competed at the 51st annual Rose of Tralee International Festival in County Kerry in Ireland for prizes valued at more than $35,000 U.S. including a world tour. Their annual parade has 60,000 spectators with the final selection nights televised and watched by an audience of 900,000, the size of Super Bowl viewers in the United States. Similar to the Arizona program, the Rose judges look for an articulate, accomplished young woman, proud of her Irish ancestry, and who will represent well a children’s charity there. Information is available at www.roseoftralee.ie. Danielle also participated in a variety of events with two of Arizona’s Sister Cities, Tullamore and Ennis, and met the U.S. Ambassador to Ireland, Dan Rooney, and was featured in the press with him.
Tickets for the Festival where students will be performing alongside the artists are $10.00 at the gate or can be purchased in advance for $8.00 through local offices of the Sedona Chamber of Commerce; also at Fork in the Road, American Bistro and Full Moon Saloon at Tequa Festival Marketplace SR179 Sedona. Purchase advance tickets in Prescott at Celtic Crossings and in Phoenix at the Irish Cultural Center, 1106 N. Central Ave., Phoenix, www.azirish.org. For more information about the Festival, go to www.celticharvestfestival.com.
Danielle McBurnett
An 18-year old Arizona native, Danielle is a summa cum laude graduate of Arizona State University and the youngest in its history with a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing. She was one of four featured students profiled in front of 70,000 attendees and President Barack Obama at commencement ceremonies and was interviewed by various television and print media. Danielle works as a registered nurse and graduate research associate while studying to complete her Doctorate of Nursing Practice. This December, she will become a pediatric nurse practitioner. She has served in leadership positions in health organizations, politics, and working with under-privileged. Leisure activities include playing piano and writing compositions, dancing (including swing and ballroom), playing the lead in various musicals, singing and playing percussion on her church’s worship team, traveling, and historical re-enactments including an original speech of Florence Nightingale’s, the founder of nursing, and Amy Carmichael, an Irish missionary to children in India. Her great grandfather was the first generation born in Canada after the family’s emigrating from Ireland in the 1870’s. She is a Chandler, Arizona resident.
Danielle McBurnett, R.N., B.S.N.
Doctoral Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Student
Arizona State University
Graduate Research Assistant
Center for Improving Health Outcomes in Children, Teens, and Families
College of Nursing and Healthcare Innovation
