Ireland’s largest celebration of secondary school entrepreneurs, the Student Enterprise National Final, took place online for the first time this week
County Monaghan had resounding success at the Student Enterprise Awards which took place on Wed 27th of May. Students from both Patrician High School, Carrickmacross and Ballybay Community College have won accolades at the Student Enterprise Programme National Finals in Croke Park last week, organised by the Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) for secondary schools. The National Finals ceremony took place online for the first time, broadcast through Facebook and YouTube and hosted by RTE’s Rick O’Shea.
Supported by Local Enterprise Office Monaghan, an overall award was giving for “My Entrepreneurial Journey” in the Junior category. The winning student was Fiachra Murray, from Patrician High School, who worked under the guidance of his teacher, Leona McKenna. His student enterprise was called: ‘Vet It”. Fiachra imagined himself as having set up a fictitious business and been on an entrepreneurial passage. He highlighted what he learned about his journey along the way.
Again, an overall National award was bestowed to business “Sofatop” in the Junior Category. The winning students from Ballybay Community College, were Ferne Duffy, Tess McFadden and Mary- Kate Black, who worked under the guidance of their teacher Eimear Harvey. Their student enterprise was called “Sofatop”, which is a flexible and stylish tray, enabling you to curl up on the sofa and enjoy your cup of tea, safe in the knowledge that you can set it down within safe and easy reach.
Heather Humphreys, T.D., Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, congratulated the students; “This is a challenging time for students all across the country but we now get to celebrate all the hard work they have put into their businesses since last September. To the winners, my congratulations, but to all the finalists, you have achieved something truly exceptional. The ability to devise a business, set it up and run it, is something that will stand by you forever. Ireland has a history of great entrepreneurs and no doubt many of you today will go on to achieve greatness in business and we will ensure we are there to support you every step of the way.”
John McEntegart Head of Enterprise Monaghan County Council said: “Congratulations to the students of Patrician High School and Ballybay Community College, on winning these prestigious national awards, which recognises all their hard work. We have seen over 220,000 students learn how to successfully run a business in the 18 years of the Student Enterprise Programme, thanks to a long-term partnership between local schools and Local Enterprise Offices. Judging by this year’s finalists and winners, the future is bright for entrepreneurs here in County Monaghan.”
The National Final students, who competed across three categories, Junior, Intermediate and Senior, saw judging take place virtually via electronic submissions. Each student enterprise was challenged with creating, setting up and running their own business, which must show sales of their service or product. The judging panel included business owners and representatives from enterprise agencies and associated bodies.
Further details about the next Student Enterprise Programme, which begins soon is available by contacting project Lead Eilín Connolly Monaghan LEO 047 71818.
