13 local teenagers have been hailed as future leaders.
Each has been awarded Student of the Year for making a difference to their respective schools in Kilkenny or Carlow, all of which fall under the KCETB.
The organisation put together a ceremony which celebrated the following youths, gifting all a specially commissioned solid silver medal:
· Kea Flores, Coláiste Mhuire, Johnstown, Co Kilkenny
· Adam Walsh, Duiske College, Co. Kilkenny
· Fionn McInerney, Kilkenny City Vocational School
· Ciara Walsh, Scoil Aireagail, Ballyhale, Co Kilkenny
· Tomás Mac Griana, Coláiste Pobail Osraí, Kilkenny city
· John Cummins, Grennan College, Thomastown, Co Kilkenny
· Ciara Corcoran, Coláiste Cois Siúire, Mooncoin, Co. Kilkenny
· Grace Brosnan, Abbey Community College, Ferrybank
· Irina Luchianciuc, Tyndall College, Carlow
· Owen McDonald, Coláiste Aindriú, Bagenalstown, Co Carlow
· Chloe Moylan, Borris Vocational School, Co Carlow
· Clodagh Ní Bhraonáin, Gaelcholáiste Cheatharlach, Carlow
· Ailbhe Maguire, Coláiste Eoin, Hacketstown, Co Carlow
The students, along with their parents and school principals and deputy principals, were welcomed by the chief executive of KCETB Eileen Curtis, the chair of its board Cllr Fergal Browne, and its director of schools, Dr Pauline Egan.
Welcoming the guests, Dr Egan explained the essence of the Student of the Year Award. “All of the KCETB schools are underpinned by the core values of excellence in education, care, equality, community and respect. The Student of the Year embodies these values as the award is not just about academic excellence, but the student’s commitment and dedication, and the contribution they have made to their school community. The difficulty each principal had in selecting just one student is a great testament to the student body across KCETB’s 13 schools”, said Dr Egan.
Each winner’s school principal gave a citation which outlined their student’s rich and varied achievements and the contribution they made during their time in secondary school. As chairperson of KCETB, Cllr Fergal Browne presented each student with their medal. Cllr Browne commented, “All of the recipients of Student of the Year are role models who represent the very best across our KCETB schools. They are young people to be proud of, full of hope and promise”.
KCETB Chief Executive Eileen Curtis congratulated each one of the students and hailed them as “leaders of the future”. In her address, she said “ Having listened to all the citations, I’m sure everyone will agree that these students are exceptional young people and marvellous ambassadors for our schools. They have shown leadership skills beyond their years and have flourished through learning during their time in secondary school”.
She encouraged them to “continue to set high standards and confidently embrace the many opportunities which will present in the years ahead”. She concluded by wishing them well in their future studies and in their lives.
