Picture perfect for biodiversity awards
YOUNG ARTISTS from schools all over County Wexford received their awards for the Wexford County Council Annual Artwork Competition at the County Council building ahead of the end of school terms.
The competition is run by the Environment section of the council in conjunction with Wexford Naturalists’ Field Club. The theme of this year’s event was ‘wildlife of rivers and estuaries’. Cllr Tony Walsh presented the prizes to 50 school children from both primary and secondary schools.
Cllr Walsh, speaking at the event, said that the aim of the competition was to develop an awareness of the importance of biodiversity and to better understand its value to local communities.
‘Each year, a different theme is chosen and this year’s theme was about our rivers. The artwork displayed here today reminds us all to look after our environment, a precious legacy for the generations to come. We all have a role to play in learning more about biodiversity and protecting the natural heritage of Wexford.’
The competition received 1,189 entries from schools from all over Wexford.
Cllr Walsh thanked wellknown artist Don Conroy for judging the art and colouring competition and Wexford Naturalists’ Field Club for supporting the competition. He also praised the young artists present, encouraging them to maintain a healthy respect for the environment as part of their lives.
The overall winner in the Primary School section was Erin Doyle from Ballyduff NS while the overall winner in the Secondary School section was Aleksandra Piwka from Gorey Community School.
Prizes were also presented for the Snap into Action Competition, which was open to both schools and community groups. This competition encouraged people from all walks of life to take action against litter. S
St Colman’s NS in Ballindaggin took first place in the schools competition, while the 22nd Wexford Oulart Scout Group won the community group competition. Both groups received cheques for €500.
Cllr Walsh congratulated all involved in voluntary work who were dedicated to keeping Wexford beautiful.
Awards were also presented to the winners of the Food Waste Prevention Competition.
A short animated video was produced by Wexford County Council, and Waterford City and County Council, to help promote food waste prevention. To enter the competition all schools had to view the video and suggest a name for the main character.
A colouring competition was circulated for Junior and Senior infants.
David Andoo from the CBS Primary School Wexford was the overall winner of the colouring competition. The second class pupils from Marshalstown NS were announced as the winners of the character naming competition with the name Sal - Save All Leftovers. The video was shown on the day.
The full list of winners is as follows:
Overall Primary School Winner: Erin Doyle, Ballyduff NS
Overall Secondary School Winner: Aleksandra Piwka, Gorey Community School.
Junior and Senior Infants: First - Ornaith Halford, St Joseph’s NS, Gorey. Joint Second - Daniel Wherity, St Anne’s NS, Rathangan; Olly Boggan, Danescastle NS. Joint Third - Barry Gahan, Scoil Naomh Maodhóg, Ferns; Lily Malone, Riverchapel NS. Highly Commended - Orláith Ryan, Ballyoughter NS; Queva Byrne, Monageer NS.
First and Second Class: First - Poppy Stahlat, Scoil Naomh Bride, Blackwater. Joint Second - Kevin Groszyk, St Senan’s Primary School, Enniscorthy; Frankie Cullen, Scoil Naomh Bride. Joint Third - Ben Gahan, Scoil Naomh Maodhóg, Ferns; Sophie Polaniecka, Scoil Naomh Maodhóg, Ferns. Highly Commended - Eimear Nicholson, Davidstown NS; Ava Larkin, Ballymurn NS.
Third and Fourth Class: First - Elese Doyle, Ballyduff NS. Joint Second - Faye O’Neill Redmond, Our Lady of Lourdes NS, Bunclody; Sophie Moorehead, Our Lady of Lourdes NS, Bunclody. Joint Third - Nina Sukopova, Our Lady of Lourdes NS, Bunclody; Fionn Stafford, Monageer NS. Highly Commended - Damien Pohludek, Scoil Naomh Maodhóg, Ferns; Keelin Gallagher, Danescastle NS; Ryan Smyth, Riverchapel NS; Jake Byrne, Danescastle NS.
Fifth and Sixth Class: First - Emma Murphy, Our Lady of Lourdes NS, Bunclody. Joint Second - Ailbhe Fortune, Our Lady of Lourdes NS, Bunclody; Rosie Dunbar, Our Lady of Lourdes NS, Bunclody. Joint Third - Sophia Zipoli, CBS Primary School, Wexford; Zara Keating and Chafia Flynn, Our Lady of Lourdes NS, Bunclody. Highly Commended - Becky Cashin, St Fintan’s NS, Taghmon; Leanne Mahon, Our Lady of Lourdes NS, Bunclody.
First to Third Year: First - Ashley Hennessy, Gorey Community School. Second - Béibhinn O’Brien, Gorey Community School. Joint Third - Sean Willett, St Peter’s College; Alice Kovalchouk, Gorey Community College. Highly Commended - Shauna Mur-