Young people of Wicklow
The achievements of outstanding young people of the county were celebrated last Friday nigh at the Wicklow Garda Youth Awards, held in the Arklow Bay Hotel. There were three categories of awards presented - individual, group, or special achievement.
Ciara Kelly from Poseidon Lifesaving Club in Greystones teaches, volunteers, plays senior camogie and has earned a bronze lifesaving medal. She is described by her parents as ‘a beautiful, warm, generous and caring daughter who is willing to help anyone in need.’
Odhran Wall from Greystones was nominated by Alice O’Donnell from Triple A Alliance and his teacher Conor Kennedy, for volunteering with the autism support charity, and for being a very positive influence on his peers.
Erin Connolly from Arklow has raised thousands for cancer support and Arklow RNLI, has donated her hair to the Rapunzel Foudation, and volunteers to teach Arklow Baton Twirlers, volunteers with Suunbeam, hepls her grandfather with Arklow’s Positive Aging Group, and much more. Ceilí Corrigan from Dunlavin always makes sure her mum Kerri is ok after losing her beloved dad Mark. She has tackled each day with immense courage and even on the toughest of days she can make her mum smile.
Lucy Green has been raising money for Blackrock Hospital since the age of nine. At 14, she has raised over €8,5000 with swims, quizzes and more.
Athlete Alan Miley from Dunlavin was a member of the Irish Schools Combined team that won a gold medal at the Celtic Games. He is a great sportsman, hardworking student, and an enormous help to his mother and role model to his brothers.
Niall Kinsella teaches guitar and at East Wicklow Youth Services to young people aged 12 to 18. He does DJ at events, shows budding musicians how to set up a stage for performance, and is a kind and caring person.
In the ‘groups’ category, Robert Coyne and Connal Byrne were awarded for raising almost €7,000 for the Jack and Jill Foundation.
Nine young people from Wicklow aged 15 to 17 took part in the Foroige’s leadership for life programme. Their projects included a community cleanup in Ballyguile and a community fun day.
A group of nine young men aged 17 to 20 from the Little Bray Youth Project came together to put together a service to celebrate the life of their friend Keelan. Keelan O’Connor had died suddenly from meningitis. They also raised thousands for Meningitis Foundation Ireland in memory of their friend.
A group of young men from Pres con- structed their whole school and its surroundings to scale using Minecraft, in their own time. It is hoped that through digital engagement with the school, that the students will take greater pride and interest in their actual physical space.
Colm Roche was awarded in the special achievement category, having excelled in school and taken part in activities despite illness.
Katie Newell also successfully completed and passed her leaving certificate despite illness and has raised funds for Pieta House and the Gavin Glynn Foundation.
Niamh Brooks from Blessington spoke openly and passionately about her experience with autism spectrum disorder in a video presented at the ASD Conference in Wicklow.
Ben Flynn has been playing football in Rathnew since he joined at the age of six. He has cerebral palsy, and his dedication is exemplary and an inspiration to all in the club.
Luca Pezzillo O´Brien has overcome challenges to integrate and become a leader in his school community, working to actively promote energy and sustainability.
Ben Rowsome from Bray works with the autism advocacy group ‘As I Am’ as a youth ambassador. Ben has spoken at many events including a conference in Wicklow ‘The Right Direction’.