Hard work pays off for gratuates

GRADUATES sporting caps and gowns crowded into the chapel at St. Peter’s College last Thursday for their conferring ceremony.

Qualifications were handed out on the day in the fields of Business, Architectural Technology, Art, Law, Social Studies and Early Childhood Studies.

Among the 270 students graduating were a number of mature students including Ger White, Whiterock Hill, who was the winner of the student achievement award for the Social Studies programme.

Similarly, students from the Life Long Learning programme which is delivered at night time on the campus were also conferred on the day.

President of the Institute of Technology Carlow, Patricia Mulcahy, congratulated the students on their achievements and advised that although they were going out into a tough job’s climate she was confident that they had received a top class education, something which would pave the way for a bright future.

Proud parents and family members posed for photographs as a token of the day before the crowd moved into a marquee, which was set up on the front lawn especially for the day.

Adding to the sense of occasion was a string quartet which was brought in to play in the marquee.

However many of the students graduating on the day are not willing to bid their final farewell to campus life just yet.

A significant number of graduates receiving Level 7 degrees have opted to continue on for a fourth and final year so as to attain their Level 8 qualification.

Susan Ennis, Joseph Mackey and Patricia Mackey from Peter Square.

George, Bronagh and Maroa Hayes from The Grove.

Pauline, Dylan and Bobby Devereux with Chelsea Delaney, from Killinick.

Urszula Lewszo and Hugh O’Byrne with baby Ruby O’Byrne from Kilrane.

Michael Shonagh and Elaine McCourt, from Bishopswater, who was Student of the Year Level 8.

Mary and Tom Roche from Killurin.

Melanie Carroll from White Rock with her husband Kieran and sons Garry and Adam.