MCS Junior Mayors are Environmental Role Models in Westmeath Chambers

The week of March 22nd was full of fun and frolics for our Deputy Junior Mayors Alex Roche and John Peredo who engaged in a variety of debates and meetings with senior council officials, such as Mayor of Athlone, Mr. Frankie Keena. On Tuesday the 22nd, Alex and John met with Mr. Frankie Keena for tea and coffee and discussed an array of local topics from the well-being of our student and teacher population to an emphasis on women empowerment in politics.

After their school chat, Mr. Frankie Keena invited the Junior Mayors to join him at the Athlone Civic Chamber on Wednesday and Thursday. At the Chamber on Wednesday, the Mayors were introduced to fellow local Junior Mayors of Our Lady’s Bower, Athlone Community College and the Marist College. At this meeting, the ever so topical issue of Women in Politics and the importance of emphasising the need for a more diverse input from female counterparts in politics was discussed. A few clips from our discussion were filmed to feature in a “Women and Diversity in Local Government” promotion video.

Finally, on Thursday the duo attended a very informative and thought provoking, Environmental Forum hosted by Ecological Architect, Duncan Stewart, Frankie Keena, and Athlone native and Director of Arcadia Retail Park, Mr. Fiachra Mc Loughlin. Here, the team attacked the consequences of our current actions on future generations and what green solutions are necessary to use in order to save our planet from the daunting and detrimental impacts of Climate Change. Later that evening, school staff representatives were invited to Athlone to discuss the impact of the Creative Climate Award with Duncan Stewart, and MCS was again represented by Ms. Neilan.

Overall, the week was extremely productive and inspirational for our Junior mayor representatives.