Kerry ETB honours best and brightest students

A GROUP of 64 students from across the county were honoured in Tralee on Friday night as the Kerry Education and Training Board held their annual awards ceremony.

The awards are a highlight of the KETB calendar when the board celebrates the achievements of students and learners from their Post Primary Schools and Youthreach centres.

Toireasa Ferris, a former student of Kerry ETB School Gaelcholaiste Chiarraí was the guest speaker. In her address, she praised the students on their awards and encouraged them to continue to develop their academic and leadership skills throughout their life.

Ann O’Dwyer Director of Schools, Youth and Music thanked the Principals and Staff in the schools who, she said, are constantly striving to be at the cutting edge of education.

She praised all the students from Killorglin Community College and Castleisland Community College who were involved in this year’s Young Scientist Exhibition. Timothy McGrath from Killorglin Community

College received a special recognition award for his journey in school through science.

His latest project on nutrient treatment for ocean ‘dead zones’ for which he won the top prize at the National SciFest in November has earned him a spot at the ISEF global science contest in California this May.

Special mentions also went to Tara Whittington from Coláiste na Sceilge and Cian Ó Cianáin from Gaelcholaiste Chiarraí who achieved maximum points in their leaving cert and were awarded ‘Best Overall Academic Excellence Awards’.

Photo Joe Hanley ABOVE: Students from Killarney Community College with their teachers after they were presentyed with the Kerry ETB Students awards at IT Tralee on Friday evening: Eilish O’Leary (teacher), Ethan Mc Keon (student) and Stella Loughnane (teacher). Back row: Daniel Crtemin, Darja Puzanova, Aoife O’Brien and Brian Kelliher.

Photo Joe Hanley LEFT: Speakers at the Kerry ETB Students Awards 2019 at IT Tralee on Friday evening, Colm McEvoy (CEO Kerry ETB), Cllr Jim Finucane (Cathaoirleach Kerry ETB), Ann O’Dwyer (Dir Schools Kerry ETB), Toireasa Ferris (special uest) and Dr Brendan O’Donnell (President IT Tralee)

Photo Joe Hanley Students from Youthreach Listowel with their teachers after they were presented with their Kerry ETB Students Awards at IT North Campus, Tralee on Friday evening.

Keith Flynn (Causeway Comprehensive) with his family and friends after he was presented with his Kerry ETB Student Award 2019 at IT Tralee on Friday evening, From left: PatricK Flynn, Mary Lucy (KCFE), Keith Flynn, Marie Griffin and Niamh O’Donovan (KCFE).

Students from Colaiste Gleann Lí, Tralee. with their principal Richard Barrett. Front: Gavin Mulvihill, Richard Barrett and Luke Stack. Back : Sophie Foran, Rachel Dunne and Kieran Duggan

Photo by Joe Hanley Aoife O’Sullivan (Gaelcholaiste Chairraí,Tralee ) with her family after she was presented with her Kerry ETB Student Award at IT Tralee on Friday evening, Bridie, Loretto and Terry O’Sullivan.