Miss Smiling Irish Eyes 2026:
Molly McKenna
Pittsburgh’s 2026 Miss Smiling Irish Eyes is Molly McKenna, a 21‑year‑old Irish dancer and college student with deep roots in her Irish heritage. A dedicated volunteer and active participant in cultural events, she is currently working to establish a collegiate LAOH club to strengthen student connections to Irish culture. With a strong academic record and extensive service experience, Molly plans to attend medical school after her 2027 graduation, continuing her lifelong commitment to community, service, and heritage.
About Molly:
Molly McKenna is a lifelong Irish dancer, dedicated volunteer, and proud ambassador of Pittsburgh’s Irish‑American community. She discovered her love of Irish dance at age three and has spent nearly two decades performing with Shovlin Academy at parades, festivals, senior centers, and community events. Molly has competed at the highest levels, including the Mid‑America Oireachtas and the 2023 All‑Irelands in Killarney, and continues to dance with the Notre Dame/Saint Mary’s Irish Dance Team.
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Molly’s heritage traces to Galway, Tyrone, and Wicklow, with ancestors who helped shape Pittsburgh’s history—including Bernard McKenna, who served as Mayor of Pittsburgh in the 1890s. Her family’s longstanding involvement in the AOH and LAOH continues through her own leadership. She served as the first post‑pandemic president of Junior LAOH Division 23 and is now working with national leadership to launch the first collegiate LAOH club, approved in January 2026.
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A graduate of Mount Lebanon High School with highest honors and a STEM certificate, Molly is now a junior at Saint Mary’s College majoring in Biology and Chemistry. A presidential scholarship recipient and consistent Dean’s List student, she plans to take the MCAT this summer with the goal of attending medical school.
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Service has been central to Molly’s life. She has volunteered hundreds of hours through her parish communities, youth group mission trips, the Adaptive Religious Education program for children with special needs, and LAOH events. In college, she continues her commitment through Dance Marathon for Riley’s Children’s Hospital. Her dedication has earned recognition including the Medallion Ball Award and the Junior Women of Achievement Award.
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Molly hopes to continue expanding collegiate LAOH membership, compete with her Ceili team at Collegiate Nationals, pursue medical school, and remain rooted in Pittsburgh—celebrating her heritage through dance, service, and community leadership.
Miss Smiling Irish Eyes 2026 Court Maiden:
Kennedy Aryn Elizabeth Kuntz
About Kennedy:
Kennedy Kuntz is a dedicated student, community volunteer, and proud representative of her Irish heritage. With ancestral roots in Munster, Connacht, Donegal, Central Scotland, and Northern Ireland, she actively celebrates and honors her cultural background through participation in Irish parades, community events, and longstanding involvement. She is also an engaged parishioner of Corpus Christi Parish.
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Kennedy is an accomplished honors student with a cumulative GPA of 4.9 and membership in both the National Honor Society and the Math Honor Society. Her academic path includes a rigorous combination of Honors, Advanced Placement, College in High School, and Project Lead the Way coursework. She plans to pursue a career in genetic counseling, where she hopes to support individuals in understanding themselves, building confidence, and making informed decisions about their health and future.
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With a dedication and commitment to service, Kennedy has contributed to a wide range of volunteer efforts, including a mission trip to Jamaica with Move a Mountain / Mustard Seed, Meals on Wheels, and several years of teaching CCD to children with intellectual disabilities at Our Lady of Grace Parish. She also serves as a coach at a local summer community soccer camp, helping young athletes grow in skill and confidence.
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Guided by her values, leadership, and cultural pride, Kennedy strives to make a positive impact on her community while honoring the traditions that have shaped her.
Miss Smiling Irish Eyes 2026 Court Maiden:
Sidney Ann Hoover
About Sidney:
Sidney Hoover is a proud Pittsburgh native, lifelong participant in the city’s St. Patrick’s Day traditions, and a dedicated advocate for children and individuals with disabilities. She is currently a sophomore at West Virginia University, majoring in Exercise Physiology at the School of Medicine with the goal of becoming a pediatric occupational therapist.
Sidney’s love for her Irish heritage began in early childhood, attending the Pittsburgh St. Patrick’s Day Parade with her family since the age of two. Inspired by the women riding in the parade carriage and captivated by the Irish dancers, she set her sights on Miss Smiling Irish Eyes at a young age—even placing it on her elementary school vision boards. She later found her passion in Irish dance, training with the Shovlin Academy of Irish Dance from age ten through high school and performing annually in the parade and Market Square.
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Service has been a defining part of Sidney’s life. At WVU, she serves as the Director of Service Hours for Delta Gamma sorority, coordinating volunteer efforts and supporting the organization’s philanthropy, Service for Sight. She is also an active member of Best Buddies, maintaining close connections with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Her commitment to inclusion began in high school, where she served as president of South Fayette’s Best Buddies chapter, doubled its membership, and organized inclusive events. She also mentored middle school students through Teen Institute and assisted daily in her school’s preschool classroom.
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Rooted in a deeply Irish family and a lifelong love for Pittsburgh, Sidney hopes to honor both her heritage and her hometown through her role as Miss Smiling Irish Eyes Court Maiden. She is passionate about representing the city that shaped her and giving back to the community that has given her so much.