Students acknowledged in exhibition

TRANSITION Year students from Millstreet Community School participating in the St Vincent de Paul Youth for Justice programme since September 2013 were acknowledged for all their efforts during an exhibition held in the Silversprings Hotel, Cork last week.

The SVP established Youth for Justice as a way of encouraging students to take a more active part in the life of the school and the local community. Since the start of their school year, the 18 Millstreet students have organised a number of activities. These have included a Christmas Language Fest, a lunchtime soccer tournament to raise funds for MS Ireland, an intergenerational Games Day and they have made a DVD for a secondary school in Malawi.

School chaplin Mr John Magee expressed satisfaction on recognition for the students. “They have really added a new dimension to school and community life through their efforts. I am delighted that their work was recognised at the exhibition in Cork,” he said.

The event in Silversprings Hotel featured more than 200 students from over ten schools and youth groups. Each presented what they had done through the year in a creative way.

The Millstreet presentation included students Billy Cronin, Darren Kiely and James Linehan playing traditional pieces on their instruments, which had the whole hall on its feet joining in.

The event made a big impression on the students with Shauna O'Sullivan thrilled to be amongst diverse company. “The atmosphere was incredible. All the students from the different schools were so positive and supportive of each other,” she said.

Colleague Amy McSweeney commended all schools on promoting the concept of social justice.

“It was much less formal than I thought it would be. The presentations by other schools gave us ideas for future projects,” she said.

Following the recognition of students, Lauren Buicke concluded that i t was great to see that so many students were taking such an interest in the SVP project.