On Tuesday 29^th November 29^th Eimear Keenan, a 5^th year student at MCS won the Regional Final of the Youth Leadership Competition. This competition rewards young people with clear leadership potential based on their extra-curricular activities. Eimear’s journey in the competition began in school on November 18^th, when she competed against her peers for a place in the area round. Denise Dolan and William Noth from Athlone Rotary Club conducted the interviews where she, Grace O’ Flaherty and Alex Roche proceeded to the next round of competition.

The area round of interviews was held in the Radisson Hotel in Athlone on 23rd November, 2022. ^.On this occasion our students competed against students from schools in Athlone and from Roscommon and Offaly. Eimear won this stage of the competition where her journey continued into the final round of interviews as a Regional finalist where her she encountered area winners from Dublin and Kildare.

Her reward for winning is an exciting six day team building trip which begins in Belfast and where students will visit the Titanic Centre, tour Stormont and meet with local politicians and business leaders.  She will then travel to Dublin where all of the regional winners from both sides of the border are invited to an information seminar and lunch hosted by the Staff of the European Parliament offices. This is followed by a tour of Dail Eireann and further meetings with politicians. The highlight of the prize is a trip to Strasbourg where students participate in a full day of debating a variety of motions at Euroscola at the European Parliament in Strasbourg. Approximately five hundred other students from all over Europe will also take part in this activity. On the last day Eimear and the Irish delegation will have some time out for a sightseeing trip around Strasbourg before flying back to Dublin. No doubt this trip will be a great experience for her.

Photo:

Eimear Keenan (centre) with competitors Rebacca McCloskey and Colum Doyle