Gareth’s dedication earns Gaisce Gold
A WEXFORD student, who decided to begin his Gaisce Gold Award during his Leaving Certificate to take his mind off exams, received his award from President Michael D. Higgins at Dublin Castle.
20-year-old Gareth Jones, a former student of St Peter’s College, was one of 55 people from across the country to receive the prestigious award.
Gaisce – The President’s Award is a direct challenge from President Michael D. Higgins to young people aged 15-25 to dream big and realise their potential, push their boundaries and develop skills which will stand to them throughout their lives. This year’s Gold Awardees have successfully completed five challenge areas for 52 weeks or more. All Awardees previously received the Gaisce Bronze and Silver awards.
For Gareth, who is from Kilcorral, Castlebridge, the Gaisce Gold Award was something to take his mind off his Leaving Certificate exams and he began working on it in sixth year. He said it helped him to both develop new skills and improve his current ones.
He trained in Tae Kwon Do and achieved his first degree black belt. Having taken up the violin for his Silver Award, Gareth continued with it for his Gold Award and went on to join the County Wexford Youth Orchestra. For his Community Involvement, he volunteered in a local Oxfam shop.
Gareth began his Adventure Journey in Lyon, France and finished in Geneva, Switzerland and he enjoyed the experience thoroughly, saying the countryside and cities in all locations were spectacular and fascinating experiences. He volunteered with the International Gay Theatre Festival and worked in a variety of roles including front of house and stage management.
Reflecting on his Gold Award, Gareth said: ‘It definitely motivated me to do things I wouldn’t have done before and from that I have made some great friends and had the best times with them.’
Gareth is now studying Sexual Health and Korean at University of Central Lancashire in the UK.
President Michael D. Higgins congratulated all those who had received awards saying the group had concluded a journey of personal determination and commitment, and all recipients could be justly proud of their accomplishment.