Top students honoured at Presentation College awards
Senior Student of Year Aoife Moody with principal Ray Murray
STUDENTS in Presentation College, Carlow were recognised for their prowess in the classroom, playing fields and beyond when the school’s annual awards ceremonies took place just before the summer holiday.
Principal Ray Murray emphasised the importance of these occasions in the school community. He stressed the need for students’ willingness to embrace the many opportunities available in Presentation College. He also said it was an occasion to pay tribute to all the teaching staff for their hard work and commitment to the school.
Awards were presented to students who had distinguished themselves in many categories, including sport, music, student council, Green Schools and Pope John Paul II Awards, to name but a few.
The Senior Male Sports Person of the Year Award was presented to sixth-year student Marc Mulhall, while the junior award was presented to Axel O’Rock. Marie Cranny was the recipient of the Senior Female Sports Person of the Year Award and Aisling Connolly was the recipient at junior level.
Jack Mahon received the International Sports Person Award for his success at international level in athletics.
Awards were also presented in the fields of athletics, basketball, Gaelic football, hurling, soccer, camogie and rugby.
Music is a big part of the life of Presentation College and the deserving recipients of awards in this area were Emmanuel Abu and Michael Harris Byrne at senior level and Edward Scully at junior level.
Kayla Mealey was the popular and deserving recipient of the Bridín Quinn Award. This accolade, given to a sixth-year student, honours those who have made meaningful contributions to the life and community of the school in their own special way.
The Amanda O’Mahony Memorial Award went to Lexie Doogue (sixth year), while the CEIST Award, which honours students who best demonstrate the CEIST (Catholic Education An Irish Schools’ Trust) values and ethos, was awarded to Maeve Dempsey.
The Student of the Year Award is reserved for third-year and sixth-year students and voted for by staff. Before announcing the winners, Mr Murray revealed the names of the final contenders and the tension mounted until Aoife Moody’s name was greeted by rapturous applause for the senior award and similarly with the announcement of Kelly Conway-Whelan and Isha Kamalon as joint winners for the junior award.
The Meitheal leaders and prefects were given special recognition for their work throughout the year and they made several presentations on behalf of the sixth years. They paid tribute to Mr Murray, Mr Carley and Ms McCarthy.
The inclusion of musical performances enhanced the mood of proceedings, which concluded when Mr Murray thanked Ms O’Sullivan, who was responsible for the organisation of the ceremonies.
