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Jason Hellstrom receives the Gaisce Gold Award from President Michael D Higgins.
A FORMER CBS The Green student met President Michael D Higgins in person at Dublin Castle last Wednesday to receive his Gold Gaisce award medal and certificate during a special ceremony.
Jaison Hellstrom sat his Leaving Certificate last June but completed the highest level of the national award programme while in 5th and 6th year at the school under the guidance of Presidents Award Leader (PAL) Helen Hayes.
Speaking of Jaison’s achievement Ms. Helen Hayes said that Jaison always stood out in both his academic achievement and his passion for social justice during his time in The Green.
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“Jaison is very well regarded in the school by all staff members who encountered him over the years. He was always extremely well-mannered and polite to both staff and his peers and shows a maturity well beyond his years. Jaison’s outstanding commitment to helping in his local community is inspirational to other boys involved in the Gaisce programme within the school,” said Ms Hayes.
During Transition Year, which Jaison successfully completed, he undertook the bronze Gaisce award under the guidance of Ms. Costello.
He opted to help run the school library and it was noted by school management at the time that he excelled in this regard. He also eagerly learned basic sign language and even went to the European Youth Parliament that year.
Such was Jaison’s interest and success with the bronze Gaisce award programme, he enquired about undertaking the silver award which he successfully completed and was awarded for in February 2018.
In order to achieve the Gold award Jaison committed to undertaking a number of activities over a 12 month period.
He gave of his time voluntarily to help in a thrift shop run by Adapt as he admires the work that they do for families in need. He also studied Afrikaans in his spare time as he has a deep respect for his South African heritage.
Jaison organised his own venture journey for the award programme; a three-day hike of the Dingle Way.
Jaison has also been a volunteer at a Christian summer camp where he has helped organise games for the children attending, played guitar during music workshops and assisted the kitchen staff at mealtimes.
He took a particular interest in helping children with special needs that attended these camps. He is also very passionate about Taekwon-do, so much so that he volunteered to assist his coach teach younger children new skills in order to achieve the award.
President’s Award Leader Helen Hayes said; “I could think of no better or more deserving candidate of a President’s Gold Gaisce Award than Jaison. His kindness, positivity and commitment to everything he does is to be commended and I have no doubt this will continue to be the case long into the future. We here at The Green wish Jaison all the very best in his studies at UCC and for the future.”
