A Salute to the 23rd NWSI 2026 Queen

Born and raised in Chicago to parents from counties Mayo and Kerry, Tara Deane has always felt a strong connection to her Irish heritage. From an early age, she was immersed in the culture through Irish dancing at the Foy School of Irish Dance, spending summers visiting family across Ireland, and even studying abroad at DCU during a summer in high school. Today, she keeps that involvement alive through playing Gaelic football for the Fog City Harps and is gearing up to represent her club at the 2026 World Games in Waterford. After earning her Business Administration degree from Northeastern University in Boston, she found her way into the world of sports and now works for the San Jose Sharks hockey team. When not on the field or at the rink, you’ll probably find her cheering (or yelling) for the Chicago Bears, out for a run, lost in a good playlist, or line dancing with friends. No matter where life takes her, Tara’s Irish roots and Chicago pride are always with her.