young people in Down district was the focus of the Dermot Curran Young Achiever Awards held in South Eastern Regional College in Market Street, Downpatrick, on Wednesday 9th March, 2011.
An enthusiastic audience of young people from the college came together with pupils from a number of local schools to celebrate their achievements as young entrepreneurs in business and enterprise. They were joined by winners of the recent Down District Business Awards: Karen Thompson of Karen Thompson Consulting; John Walsh of Blue-Fin Software Solutions; Dale Orr of Churchtown Farm; Johnny and Emma Lynn from Boat Covers Ireland; and Bob Parks of Down Community Transport, who together formed part of an ‘Enterprise Question Time‘ panel responding to questions posed by students at the event.
Sponsored by Down District Council and the South Eastern Regional College, the initiative demonstrates the commitment of Down District Council and partners to the promotion of entrepreneurship among young people in the Down area.
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Speaking at the event, Councillor Dermot Curran said,
“The spirit of enterprise in our district is indeed alive and well. Our young people have clearly shown that they are rising to the challenges that lie before them in today’s increasingly competitive world. We need to recognise that young people’s abilities fostered now will provide the drive, the innovation and the competitive edge we need to succeed
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Down District Council Chairman, Councillor Eamonn O Neill, added “These awards reflect the ongoing enthusiasm my colleague Councillor Dermot Curran has for the promotion of entrepreneurship among young people, and for the contribution that young people can make to the economic life of our beautiful district. The awards acknowledge and encourage young people who are developing their business and entrepreneurial skills; young people who we hope will contribute to the economic development of Down district through the application of their business, organisational and team working skills”.
Schools Awards – presented by Debbie Trainor, SEELB
Winner: St Colmans High School, Ballynahinch
Highly commended: St Malachy’s High School, Castlewellan
Assumption Grammar School, Ballynahinch
Commended: St Colmcille’s High School, Crossgar (over 16)
St Colmcille’s High School, Crossgar (under 16)*
Shimna Integrated College, Newcastle
SERC Student Awards – Presented by Terry Francis MBE, Business Innovation and Development Unit, SERC
Most Innovative Business Idea: Sorchá Petticrew, Travel & Tourism, Mournes Ski-slope
Most Viable Business Idea: Kieran Cross, Creative Media Production, Personal Paparazzi
Most Marketable Product / Service: Cathal Quinn, Construction, Triathlon Outlet
Best Business Plan / Idea: Matthew McCabe / Callum Scott, Creative Media Production, FaceTooFace
Most Enterprising Student: Kieran Cross, Creative Media]]>
