Around Hopewell
Hopewell Athlete Crowned as the 100th Miss San Rocco- Viva San Rocco
On Friday, August 8th, Amelia McCloskey was crowned as the 100th Miss San Rocco. Amelia is a well-rounded student-athlete who attends Hopewell Senior High School, going into her junior year. She is very involved in her community, extracurricular activities, education, and athletics.
Amelia’s Academics and Athletics:
Amelia began playing basketball in 3rd grade and continues to pursue the sport today, playing for the Hopewell girls varsity basketball team and Strick Hoops AAU. In addition, she is a varsity track and field discus thrower and actively involved in several school and community organizations. She is a member of the National Honor Society, Italian Club, and Class Club of 2027, and previously served as a member of the National Junior Honor Society. She also takes on leadership roles as a Link Crew Leader and a Youth Ambassador. Along with these commitments, Amelia has consistently maintained High Honor Roll status throughout her academic career. Not only is she involved in her academics and athletics, but she is also deeply committed to a tradition that has family roots going way back.
The Start of San Rocco’s Celebration:
The San Rocco Celebration in Aliquippa has grown over the years, tracing its roots back to 1925, when Italian immigrants first arrived in America. They came together in Aliquippa to honor their patron saint, San Rocco. In the 1950s, Florence (Flossie) Catroppa, Amelia’s great-grandmother, was the first person to coordinate the Sunday morning procession. Along with the procession, she also created the San Rocco court, which includes Miss San Rocco, Little Miss San Rocco, Little Mister San Rocco, the Blessed Mother, and, at that time, Miss MPI. That tradition continues today on San Rocco Sunday, when families come together, proudly carrying banners displaying their family’s origins from Patrica, Italy. Through Florence’s leadership and dedication, she helped establish many traditions that have endured for generations, filled with cherished memories.
At San Rocco, when Amelia was crowned, a speech was read to those present on Friday night, stating the following:
“Amelia is the daughter of Brian and Kristine McCloskey and the granddaughter of Bob and Joyce Santia. Amelia is a junior at Hopewell High School, where she is a member of the Girls’ Varsity Basketball and Track and Field teams. She also plays AAU basketball for Strick Hoops. Amelia is a Highest Honors student, a member of NHS, Class Club, Link Crew, YAP, and Italian Club. Amelia studies Italian at Hopewell and recently went to Italy for 2 weeks with her school, where she visited various cities and was able to explore so much more of her beloved nationality. Amelia has been involved with the festa since a young age, making Ciambelli and working the San Rocco food booth on Friday nights. Amelia’s favorite parts of San Rocco are Sunday Mass, family dinner, and carrying her family’s banner in the procession.”
Amelia’s Role in San Rocco:
From a young age, Amelia actively participated in the San Rocco traditions. When she was just 5 years old, she dressed as an angel, riding in the back of a pickup truck with other angels and the Blessed Mother. As she grew older, she had the honor of being crowned Little Miss San Rocco during one of the San Rocco celebrations. The next year, she took on the special role of the Blessed Mother. In following years, Amelia walks in the procession with her family, proudly carrying their banner. Amelia has participated in the San Rocco Festival by carrying the money banner in the Sunday procession as well as being an altar server during the San Rocco Sunday Mass. She also helps prepare chimbellas to sell throughout the weekend-long celebration and works at her family’s food booth on Friday nights, contributing to the traditions that bring the Italian community together. During the 100th San Rocco Celebration, Amelia was crowned Miss San Rocco. Amelia hopes to be involved in San Rocco for many years to come, keeping her family’s traditions alive.
VIVA SAN ROCCO
