Louis Green tea project scoops top prize at fair
ST Louis Secondary School, was the winner of a coveted overall prize at the Dundalk Cross-Border Student Enterprise Trade Fair at Marshes Shopping Centre.
Five schools in the region showcased their mini-company ideas at the prestigious annual event.
The fair, begun by Dundalk Grammar School transition students in the mid90s, sees local Grammar School students invite other schools in the north east and Northern Ireland to take part.
Almost 100 students from five schools across the region competed, showcasing 26 enterprises.
Participating schools were Banbridge Academy, De La Salle College, Dundalk Grammar, St Louis Secondary School and St Vincent’s Secondary School.
The Green Tea project from St Louis scooped the overall prize, whist St Louis also claimed category wins for Best Marketing and Best Salesperson.
Ten transition year students at Dundalk Grammar, collectively titled Clockwork Events, project-managed this year’s fair, whilst the school’s catering group, Café Deja Brew, provided refreshments.
The event has grown thanks to a desire to promote cross-border relations through enterprise projects developed by students.
This year’s fair received strong support from Dundalk Chamber of Commerce, which was involved in judging categories including best overall company, most innovative product, best marketing, best sales person, best stall presentation and best visiting company.
Judges included Ciara Byrne of Recruitment Plus, Pat McCormick of DKIT, John Owens and Justin King of Optimum Results, business consultant Orla McDonnell of Trahere Coaching and Breean Weldrick of Osborne Recruitment.
The organisation ‘Young Enterprise Northern Ireland ‘( YENI) is an active partner in promoting the fair.
‘Marshes was once again delighted to host this wonderful event,’ said Aoife Kerley of Marshes Shopping Centre.
‘We have a long association with the Dundalk Cross-Border Student Enterprise Trade Fair, going back to 2006.
We are overjoyed that the Cross-Border Student Enterprise Trade Fair once again proved a great success.”
Category winners were – Best Overall Company - Green Tea, St Louis Dundalk; Most Innovative Product - Boring Postcards, Dundalk Grammar; Best Marketing - Build a Box, St Louis, Dundalk; Best Salesperson - Maui, St Louis Dundalk; Best Stall Presentation - Deja Brew, Dundalk Grammar School; Best Visiting Company - Cable Bites, Banbridge Academy.