Blarney students think outside the Bosca at Croke Park Student Enterprise Programme National Final
Following their recent win in the Cork City Student Enterprise Programme Final, students from Scoil Mhuire Gan Smál will this week take their innovative mini-company project to the National Final, taking place online on Friday, May 14.
Students Vanessa Byrne and Niamh O’Leary from the Blarney secondary school won the Cork City Final with their Bosca Cóisir idea, inspired by the concept of sustainability. The explosion tower box, which can be personalised with photographs and personal messages, is not only made from 100 percent recyclable materials but is also bio-degradable.
The students’ entrepreneurial journey began back in September 2020 when they were two of over 29,000 students from 500 schools nationwide to to enter the Student Enterprise Programme and they are now competing against 20 other Irish schools in the National Final, which will be broadcast virtually from Croke Park on Friday at 2.30pm. The event will be hosted by RTÉ’s Rick O’Shea and attended by special guest, An Tanasite, Leo Varadkar. Click here to View
“Well done to Students, Teachers, Parents and Schools involved in the Local Enterprise Office Cork City Student Enterprise Programme 2020,” said Paul McGuirk, Head of Local Enterprise Office Cork City. “Such a wonderful display of talent over the last 9 months since the programme began in September 2020, we are very proud of our students who have taken part and successfully started and ran their business ventures. “A special mention and the very best of luck to the girls who will represent us from Scoil Mhuire Gan Smál in Blarney, Transition Year students Niamh O'Leary and Vanessa Byrne with their project Bosca Cóisir and their massive achievement in successfully winning the City final which took place online on March 10th. At the Local Enterprise Office we understand what it takes to start a business and these students are incredible.”
Cork Olympian and SEP Ambassador, Derval O’Rourke, joined Mr McGuirk with her praise for the students involved. “This has been the most challenging year for students but to see the businesses they have created is inspiring. The finalists this year have raised the bar yet again, in a time when they have had more obstacles than ever before. “In my experience, competing and in business, you never give up. Be steadfast in what you want to achieve and go for it, despite what is put in your way. This year’s finalists have done that and for that you deserve to be commended. Best of luck in the Final and whatever happens, keep chasing your goals!"
The live broadcast will be available for the public to view via the Student Enterprise Programme’s FaceBook and YouTube platforms and will also be attended by Head of the Network of Local Enterprise Offices, Pádraic Mc Elwee. The winning students will take home a €2000 technology voucher for purchase of equipment, a €500 One4All voucher along with a trophy while their school will also benefit from a €1000 prize.
