“I’m going to do everything I can to make my mother proud.”
Those were the words of Lexi Linnane as she prepared to represent her home county of Cork in the Rose of Tralee festival.
Lexi’s mother, Tracey, tragically died three years ago after suffering a devastating stroke at the age of 37.
After being crowned Cork Rose, Lexi vowed in an interview with The Echo’s WOW! supplement to use her platform this year to raise public awareness of stroke symptoms, and in particular how it’s something that can impact people of all ages.
She has just completed her first year of Early Year Childhood studies at UCC, and is among the 32 Roses who will line up in the annual event, televised on RTÉ1 on Monday and Tuesday at 8pm, with a break for the news at 9pm.
Hosts Dáithí Ó Sé and Kathryn Thomas will interview the Roses in the festival dome in Tralee before the winner is announced on Tuesday.
The event is now in its 66th year, and Lexi, a former pupil of Coláiste Daibhéid in Ballintemple, will be aiming to be the fourth Rebel winner, and the first one this century.
Previous Cork winners were Josie Ruane in 1961, Denise Murphy in 1991, and Geraldine O’Grady in 1999.
Lexi is the social media manager and content creator for Mahon Point Shopping Centre, and also teaches dance and musical theatre, inspired by her late mother.
“Mom was one of the healthiest and fittest people I knew – her stroke was completely unexpected,” said 19-year-old Lexi. “It was absolutely horrific, devastating,” she remembers of her death.
Tracey, a popular member of her community, ran Footdreams Performing Arts studio at the Mahon Point community room for 17 years.
Lexi is currently 12-1 to win the Rose of Tralee with bookies Paddy Power, with the early favourites being New York Rose Ciara McGinty and London Rose Ciara Aobh Fallon.