STUDENTS IMPRESS

EIGHT young entrepreneurs have been selected to represent County Wicklow at the Student Enterprise Programme National Finals in Croke Park on May 2 after impressing at the Wicklow Final last week.

A record 1,500 students from 17 schools across the county took part in the local final held at Wicklow County Campus, Rathnew, on Tuesday, March 20.

Ross Byrne of CBS Arklow won the junior category with his project RB Woodcrafts. In the Intermediate Category, Ollie Morrison, Rowan Cody, August Cowan, Setanta Ballesty and Ray McHallem from North Wicklow Educate Together Secondary School in Bray were the winners with their business ConsTEAlations

Dylan Symes and Sam Ireland from Colaiste Craobh Amhann in Kilcoole came out on top of the senior category with their enterprise Wild Wicklow Crafts.

Sheelagh Daly from the Local Enterprise Office Wicklow was quick to praise this year’s entrants.

‘Every year we are blown away by the ideas and the business-savvy that these students have acquired at such a young age. They really are a credit to their teachers and school staff who have helped to nurture this talent.

‘We wish today’s winners all the very best as they go on to represent their county at the national finals in Croke Park in May.’

Donna Spellacy O’Leary, from Showoff.ie, Frank Curran, Chief Executive of Wicklow County Council, and Robin Bradley, President of Wicklow Town and District Chamber of Commerce were special guests at the county final.

In addition to the main awards, a number of other projects were also singled out for praise.

The winners of the awards for best stand were Handy Helpers from Colaiste Chraobh Abhann ( junior) and Brittas Bath Teas from Dominican College Wicklow (senior) while the innovation awards were presented to Pebble Pals from Colaiste Chraobh Abhann ( junior) and Baby Bandz from Blessington Community College.

Runners-up in the junior category were Fancy Flames from Colaiste Chraobh Abhann and Sea Chain from North Wicklow Educate Together Secondary School and in the senior category were On Cloud Wine and All Forked Up, both from Colaiste Bhride Carnew.

Bark from Colaiste Chraobh Abhann was the winner of the best report in the junior category.

The award for best presentation went to Team Plum TYI from St Kevin’s Community College, Dunlavin.

Senior category awards were presented to Painted Porcelain from Colaiste Bhride Carnew for best product/service; Hibbou Industries of Templecarrig School in Greystones for best market research; and Colaiste Bhride Carnew’s Mini Tree for most innovative sales strategy.

Accelleries from Loreto Bray collected the social media award and also received a special commendation in the senior category.

Vera Loriente, Jennifer Wang, Aliha Saleem and Wikioria Tanska of Accelleries from Loreto Bray with Sheelagh Daly.

Paris Flynn, Katie McGrogan and Kayleigh Howick of Oh Sew Crafty from St. Killians Bray with Sheelagh Daly.

Cristina Taglienti, Gracie O’Sullivan and Sarah-Marie Hand of Scrubadub from St David’s in Greystones with Sheelagh Daly.

Sheelagh Daly from LEO Wicklow with Oisin Kelly, Ross Balfe and Patrick Delos Reyes of The Memory Memo from St Davids in Greystones.

Senior winners Sam Ireland and Dylan Symes of Wild Wicklow Crafts from Colaiste Chraobh Abhann.

Sara Egan and Aisling McLaughlin of Soul Seeds from Loreto Bray with Sheelagh Daly.