Future Leaders: Groton Students Featured Prominently In 2025 Mystic Irish Parade

GROTON, CT — Four Groton students recently played key roles in the 20th annual Mystic Irish Parade last weekend due to their academic standings and community involvement.

Patch and T-Mobile are teaming up to showcase future leaders in Connecticut and across the nation.

Melanie Fleming, a senior at Fitch High School, was named the 2025 Grand Colleen of the parade, held March 23 in the Mystic and Groton area.

According to the parade's website, Fleming "is involved in several organizations where she shows her commitment to the Groton/Mystic community," in addition to being a member of the high school's National Honor Society and secretary of the Keyettes Club.

She also serves as a student representative to the Groton Board of Education and is a bronze and silver award Girl Scout, which was "a result of over 50 hours of community service."

Additionally, Emma Forde and Maerin Lyon, two seniors at Fitch, and Kelly Turley, a senior at Marine Science Magnet High School in Groton, were each named members of the parade's 2025 Grand Colleen Court.

Elizabeth Zuro, a senior at Stonington High School, was also named a member of the court.

During a Groton Board of Education meeting Monday, a student representative noted all three Fitch seniors were "chosen based on academic achievement, community service and their involvement at school and the Mystic community."

More information about the 2025 Grand Colleen and the Grand Colleen Court is available here; a full video of the Board of Education meeting for March 24, 2025, can be viewed here.