The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Kerry’s youth shine on awards night
IT’S billed as an occasion that recognises, celebrates and appreciates the remarkable contribution made by young people in the county.
Over two hundred people attended this year’s Lee Strand/Kerry Garda Youth Achievement Awards, which were held at the Ballyroe Heights Hotel in Tralee on Friday last.
It always stacks up as a memorable occasion for young people as their families and friends get to witness their loved ones honoured.
A presentation of 25 awards, accompanied with an inspiring citation of each winner’s achievements, was the evening’s main priority, while 20 Merit Awards, two Group Awards, a Special Achievement Award, a Community Safety Award and the Overall Winner Award were presented on the night.
The Overall Award Winner was 16-year-old Sophie Daly Wilson from Cahersiveen. Described as a young lady with enormous enthusiasm and energy to devote to all things positive, Sophie is a talented musician/song writer and has been involved in numerous events including the
KDYS Song Writing Evening. Sophie also plays music for the residents at St Anne’s Hospital Cahersiveen and she sang as part of a fundraiser for Skellig Stars. Sophie’s ambition is to one day travel as a volunteer with the Irish Pilgrimage Trust, which takes people with special needs to Lourdes.
Sophie is extremely proactive in her local community and is involved in the KDYS Social Action Group, KDYS Band Project, Wellness Ambassador in the KDYS and is also a Junior Leader in Cahersiveen KDYS Youth Club.
The Lee Strand/Kerry Garda Youth Achievement Awards first commenced in 1998 and are held for youths between the ages of 13 and 21 years. They recognise the great contribution young people have made, and continue to make, to their communities in Kerry.
Further recipients on the night included two Lee Strand/Kerry Garda Youth Achievement Group Awards, which were presented to ‘The Fairtraders’ of Castleisland Community College and ‘Be Dementia Aware’ of Killarney Community College.
The Lee Strand/Kerry Garda Youth Special
Achievement Award was presented to Shauna Foley from Listowel. The Lee Strand/Kerry Garda Youth Achievement Community Safety Award was presented to Michael Carroll, Padraig Crean and Michael Kirby, who are students of CBS The Green.
Lee Strand Chairperson Donal Pierse said that he is delighted to support the Kerry Garda Youth Achievement Awards since 1998.
“Over the past 22 years Lee Strand, in association with An Garda Síochána, have always been proactive in acknowledging and identifying the positive work by young people and voluntary groups to enhance community life in Kerry. The awards are a fantastic celebration of their outstanding achievements,” said Donal.
Chief Superintendent Eileen Foster stated that in times when young people are facing significant challenges, it is inspiring to see them giving back to their own communities through voluntary work, sport or educational achievements.
“The Youth Achievement Awards gives An Garda Síochána an opportunity to engage with young people in a positive fashion and recognise these positive interactions for the betterment of the community as a whole,” she said.
“It would not be possible to acknowledge this achievement and have an occasion whereby the families of nominees can join in the celebrations without the support from Lee Strand, the local Co-Op highly respected in the community.”
A total of 20 awards were presented in the Merit Category. These were individuals described as making a ‘positive contribution to their community by making it a better place to live’.
These winners were: Iyanu Alausa, Duagh; Clodagh Begley, Tralee; Kacper Bogalecki, Killarney; Patrick Brosnan, Listowel; Daniel Cremin, Killarney; Saoirse Fitzgerald, Killorglin; Dylan Fitzgerald, Castlegregory; Caoimhe Fitzgerald O’Dowd, Dingle; Danny Finch, Asdee; Sinead Gleeson, Killarney; Michael Horgan, Killarney; Serena Leahy Breen, Glenbeigh; Dáire McGovern, Ballymacelligott; Jack Nagle, Castlemaine; Shannon Oba Elumelu, Tralee; Clodagh O’Connor, Killarney; Kacper Podraza, Castleisland; Martin Quilligan, Tralee; Aishling Rochford, Kenmare and Harry White, Killarney.
A memorable evening concluded with a photo session involving recipients and event organisers.