ONE pupil in Scoil Eoin Balloonagh received a pleasant surprise on Monday morning when he was announced as the 2019 School Spirit Award winner.

All fifth and sixth class pupils were asked to congregate in the halla for the announcement of Leon O’Connor as the recipient.

The School Spirit Award was devised by Mr. O’Toole and the Student Council members in 2016. Every teacher in the school was asked to nominate a child who showed school spirit by promoting inclusiveness in class, by increasing an awareness of fairness in the class, by showing exemplary behaviour and being a positive role model.

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All nominations were read out by the Student Council coordinator Mrs. Carol Anne O’Donoghue, during a meeting last month.

The identity of the pupil and teacher remained anonymous at all times until a consensus was reached.  An overwhelming majority voted for this year’s winner, Leon who is in Ms. Lyon’s sixth class.

Leon was chosen because of his kindness, modesty and tremendous maturity. His family had been tipped off and were there to celebrate with Leon.

To say that Leon was shocked is an understatement. Everyone was in agreement that Leon is a deserving winner. His name has been added to the School Spirit plaque with previous winners Grace Bright, Luke O’Donoghue and Tomás Kennedy.