Seán Kelly MEP was guest of honour at the recent Scoil Mhuire, Ceann Toirc Awards Ceremony. He commended students on the vast array of achievements which were acknowledged on the day and spoke of the importance of developing the mind, body and spirit in these challenging times.
The former GAA President was certainly impressed by the high standards achieved by the students and he reminded them that success is “99 per cent perspiration and one per cent inspiration”. Awards were presented in an array of areas including sports, performing arts, school spirit, exemplary attitude, initiative and the academic.
The awards for best Junior and Leaving Certificate were sponsored by AIB Kanturk and Mary Tattan was on hand for presentations to Daragh Healy Fitzgerald and Patrick Leiter respectively. The Junior Student of the Year Award was kindly sponsored by Twohig’s SuperValu Kanturk and was presented to Michelle O’Hanlon by Greg Muzyk.
Meanwhile the Senior Student of the Year Award was won by Jeremiah Sheehan who is now studying Science Education in University of Limerick. Tommy Mullane presented Jeremiah with his award, which was sponsored by Aspel’s Spar, Kanturk. The CEIST Award was presented to past pupil Rebecca Field who is now undertaking Early childhood Studies in Mary Immaculate College, Limerick.
In her address Ms Miriam Downey, Principal said that each student in Scoil Mhuire is encouraged give of their best to reach their maximum potential. “For those students, who are sitting in the audience observing the success of others, you too have talents and I would encourage you to aspire to be award winners next year”.
She also spoke of the fundamental change which followed the introduction of free secondary education in Ireland 50 years ago and the opportunities now open to young people which were not available to many of previous generations.
Musical interludes were provided by the recently formed Scoil Mhuire Choir, the Trad Group and Leaving Certificate Music students. Students Ruth O’Connor and David Alexandre also gave individual performances. Introductions and citations were read by Deputy Principal Denis Keating and staff members Mr Rickie O’Keeffe and Ms Mairéad Noonan.
