Annie recently graduated with honours from Concordia University. She holds degrees in journalism and biology. She received a National Chapter Recognition Award from Best Buddies Canada for her volunteer work with intellectually disabled adults. An avid singer, Annie specializes in opera and jazz music. She plans to pursue a masters degree in public health. Annie is proud of her Irish heritage. Her ancestors lived on the estate of Ballyseedy Wood. As an Ottawa Rose, she hopes to encourage support for programs for those with intellectual disabilities.Kaley Duff
Kaley is currently completing her Masters of Arts in music theory at the University of Ottawa, where she also completed her Honours Bachelor of Music, majoring in piano and minoring in voice. Kaley currently
works as a private piano teacher, and also as a choral conductor and accompanist for the Leading Note Foundation, whose goal is to provide free or subsidized music lessons to children from under-served communities. Upon completion of her graduate degree, she hopes to attend law school. However, music will continue to play an important role in her life, and she hopes to be able to share her love and passion of music with children for many years to come. Kaley's family has lived for several generations in small Irish communities around the Ottawa Valley, thus she is of predominantly Irish ancestry. Her great-great grandfather was the first Duff to settle on Allumette Island, in Pontiac County, Quebec, and the Duff farm still there stands today. In her spare time, Kaley enjoys singing in choirs, knitting, baking and playing with the kittens she fosters from the Ottawa Humane Society.
Avaleigh Eastman
Raised on a dairy farm in Kinburn, Avaleigh has a passion for agriculture. Growing up as a member of her local 4H Community Club, Avaleigh completed projects in Field Crops, showing Dairy calves and Scrapbooking. Through 4H, Avaleigh embraced opportunites as a National Youth Advertising Team member and attending Leadership Conferences. Avaleigh was pleased to represent the Ottawa-Carleton Plowmen’s Association in 2010 as “Queen of the Furrow”, and she continues to volunteer with the organization. As a summer student with the City of Ottawa Rural Affairs Department, Avaleigh enjoyed participating in Food Aid Celebrity Milking Contest. Currently, Avaleigh is completing her Bachelor of Social Sciences in Public Administration with a minor in Business at the University of Ottawa.Niamh Lawlor
In 2009 Niamh moved to Ottawa from Dublin, Ireland. She is currently in a gap year from education and is working at the Heart and Crown Irish pub in Ottawa’s ByWard Market. She will be commencing an undergraduate degree in the fall of 2012. As a former champion Irish dancer, Niamh has a deep appreciation of irish music and culture. By becoming the Ottawa rose, Niamh would hope to showcase Ottawa as a city to other potential young Irish immigrants.Tess McManus
Tess is currently obtaining a Bachelor of Arts with a Specialization in Theatre at the University of Ottawa. With a mother born and raised in Ottawa, Ontario, and a father born and raised in Letterkenny, Donegal, Tess is excited to represent her Irish upbringing in the Ottawa Rose 2012 competition; as well as potentially represent her home city, Ottawa, travelling to compete in Ireland as the Ottawa Rose. She is actively involved in student and community theatre, and looks forward to pursuing a career in environmental law.Kait Zufelt
