Primary school children from around Offaly have been rewarded for their entrepreneurial talents by the Local Enterprise Office Offaly as part of its "Most Enterprising Student" initiative.
The Local Enterprise Office Offaly runs an annual Most Enterprising Student Programme which offers primary schools throughout the county the opportunity to nominate their Most Enterprising Student (or group of students). It offers schools an opportunity to give recognition to a student who has set up and run their own business. Many of the schools who entered the competition held an “Enterprise Day” where the students could design, make and sell their products to fellow students and parents. The school then chose their winner from all the students who participated. With the wealth of entrepreneurial skills within the schools, this decision was often a very difficult one to make!
The awards were presented by Eamonn Dooley, Cathaoirleach, Offaly County Council and Orla Martin, Head of Enterprise at a ceremony in the Tullamore Court Hotel today (Thursday 14 April). The children who were nominated had the opportunity to display their products at the awards ceremony. They were also able to sell on the day, and business was particularly brisk this year, with many stands with queues to purchase the wonderful products on display. Some examples of the businesses run by students include free range eggs, greyhound breeding hand crafts and 1916 Commemoration Booklet.
Each school nominee was presented with a prize pack including a €50 book token and framed certificate.
17 schools entered the competition this year and nominated their Most Enterprising Student or Students.
The following schools and selected pupils were presented with their award by Eamonn Dooley, Cathaoirleach, Offaly County Council:
No | School Name | Student(s) |
1 | Gortnamona National School | Finnan Healion |
2 | Kinnitty National School | Darragh Coughlan |
3 | Cloneyhurke National School | Ryan Hunt, Aaron Hunt |
4 | Scoil Charthaigh Naofa, Rahan | Leah Gleeson |
5 | Shinrone National School | Cian Rafferty |
6 | Coolderry Central School | Sarah Larkin |
7 | St Colmans NS, Mucklagh | Shaun Tynan |
8 | Scoil Mhuire agus Chormaic | MicKayla Brummell |
9 | St Josephs NS, Arden View, Tullamore | Athas |
10 | Ballyboy NS | Elaine Lynch, Mikayla McDermott, Emily Mulrooney, Joanne Cushen |
11 | Scoil Mhuire Naofa, Rhode | Sixth Class |
12 | St Brendan's Boys NS, Birr | Danny Dwyer |
13 | St Philomena's National School, Tullamore | Hannagh Carey, Ellie Flanagan, Emma Leavy, Clodagh Spollen, Ruby Bennett |
14 | Scoil Bhride Primary School, Edenderry | Meabh Hynes, Aaron Murphy |
15 | Scoil Mhuire, Cloneygowan | Darragh Ryan |
16 | Scoil Phroinsias Naofa, Clara | Scott Tracey |
17 | Lumcloon National School | Sarah Kelly |
Congratulations to all of Offaly’s Most Enterprising Students. The Local Enterprise Office Offaly would like to express its sincere thanks to the teachers, parents and principals for their involvement in the scheme.
All the photos from the event can be seen on our Facebook page.