Twenty-one-year-old Sarah Gorecki has never missed a Chicago St. Paddy’s Day parade with her family. Ever since the Lincoln Parker was a little girl, she worked at the parade, handing out sheet cake, or Irish soda bread, or doing something of the sort.

Yet at last Saturday’s parade, Gorecki’s job was one that would make many an Irish Colleen green with envy. The DePaul University freshman rode through the crowd this year in a carriage fit for a queen, because that’s what she is: Chicago’s 2011 St. Patrick’s Day Queen.

“I was so shocked that I really didn’t believe it,” said Gorecki, a dark-haired, green-eyed lassie who was selected last month from about 90 contestants at the Annual Queen Contest, held by the Chicago Journeymen Plumbers’ Local Union 130 United Association.

After attending the event her entire life and having it become a family tradition, Gorecki decided to see if she had the luck of the Irish when she decided to try out for the coveted title.

“I thought, ‘I’m old enough to do it, why not give it a try’?” said Gorecki, an international studies major with a 4.0 GPA who is also on the Dean’s List. “We’ve watched these queens our whole life, so it’s a big deal now for me to be wearing that green cape. I’m really lucky.”

And not only does this queen have beauty, she also has talent. As a trained singer, Gorecki has performed for former Dublin Ambassador James Kenny at his home, as well as for the Colts, the Irish Fellowship Club St. Patrick’s Day Dinner, and a whole lot more. In September (“halfway to St. Paddy’s Day”), she’ll be throwing out the first pitch at Cellular Field for the Chicago White Sox, who she has also performed for.

“Throughout the whole experience, I’ve been able to be heard and get my voice out,’ Gorecki said of singing. “It’s a huge opportunity to do what I love.”

Being queen is a crowning achievement for sure, but Gorecki — who has a Polish father and an Irish mother with bright red hair — said one of the best parts of the whole deal was the royal treatment she received from Mayor Daley at City Hall. Hizzoner gave her a tour of his castle, she got to sit at his royal desk, and she also received a beautiful bouquet of flowers from the mayor and attended a party he hosted.

“It’s an honor with it being the mayor’s last year,” said Gorecki, who also met Attorney General Lisa Madigan and Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez. “It’s a big moment in history in Chicago.

“To be able to do that with Mayor Daley… I’m just really happy,” she said. “The whole experience has been pretty amazing.”

Magically delicious… If the leprechauns at your house leave any leftover corned beef, try this fit-for-a-king (or queen) Reuben Rolls recipe, courtesy of Chef Victor DeLeon at O’Donovan’s, 2100 W. Irving Park Rd. The bar/restaurant will serve the easy-to-make rolls through March.