Sophie’s surprise...

‘IT was a huge surprise and I didn’t expect it,’ is Sophie Daly Wilson’s reaction on hearing she was picked as the Overall Winner at the 2019 Lee Strand/Kerry Garda Youth Achievement Awards held at The Ballygarry Heights Hotel on Friday last.

The ambitious and community-driven 16-year-old told The Kerryman that she enjoys being active in the community by immersing herself in as many of her passions as she can, passions that can serve a personal and societal good.

“I was shocked to get the award, if I’m honest about it, given the competition that was there,” Sophie said. “There were so many amazing people on the night.”

Sophie has loved music ever since she was a child as her mother is a musician.

“I’ve been involved in so many groups since I was about three years old. It’s ever since I was in the

Fiona Crowley Stage School, really. Being involved with the KDYS is mainly what I do now, since I was about nine.

“There is so much to do in the community with the KDYS, which I really enjoy.”

Sophie now hopes to volunteer with the Irish Pilgrimage Trust to Lourdes and is very proactive in relation to climate change.

“I hope to travel with them after I do my Leaving Cert. I like connecting with people. This is a huge thing for me. I feel that by doing this it is one of the great stories of life.

“Being with family and spending time with friends is also important. I think that by meeting new people it is one of those special things in the world,” she said.