Overall winner Sophie Daly Wilson, Caherciveen, with her grandmother Mary Daly and her aunt Anne Murphy and Padraig Murphy, at the Lee Strand Garda Youth Achievement Awards in the Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Friday. Photo by Dermot Crean
OVER 200 people from across the county attended the Lee Strand/Kerry Garda Youth Achievement Awards 2019 in the Ballyroe Heights Hotel in Tralee on Friday night.
The evening commenced with dinner and was followed by a presentation of 25 awards, accompanied with an inspiring citation of each winner’s achievements.
There were 20 Merit Awards, two Group Awards, a Special Achievement Award, a Community Safety Award and the Overall Winner Award presented on the night.
The awards scheme which first commenced in 1998 are held for youths between the ages of thirteen and twenty one years and recognise the great contribution young people have made and continue to make to their communities in Kerry.
Continued below…
.
Sixteen year old Sophie Daly Wilson from Caherciveen was announced as the Overall Winner. She was described as a young lady with enormous enthusiasm and energy to devote to all things positive.
Sophie is a talented musician/song writer and has been involved in numerous events receiving awards for her accomplishments in music and song such as Scór, Irish Youth Music Awards and the Colaiste na Sceilge Award for Junior Music Student of the Year for the past two years.
Sophie is extremely proactive in her local community and is involved in the KDYS Social Action Group, KDYS Band Project, Wellness Ambassador in the KDYS, a Junior Leader in Cahersiveen KDYS Youth Club and is also a keen public speaker, representing her school in UCC.
Sophie loves her Nana and manages to find time to take her to bingo, mass, football matches and they play an odd game of cards together.
Community Safety Award winners Mike Carroll, Michael Kirby and Padraig Crean of CBS The Green at the Lee Strand Garda Youth Achievement Awards in the Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Friday. Photo by Dermot Crean
Two Lee Strand/Kerry Garda Youth Achievement Group Awards were presented on the night to The Fairtraders, Castleisland Community College and Be Dementia Aware, Killarney Community College.
The Lee Strand/Kerry Garda Youth Special Achievement Award was presented to Shauna Foley, Listowel. The Lee Strand/Kerry Garda Youth Achievement Community Safety Award was presented to Michael Carroll, Padraig Crean, Michael Kirby students of CBS The Green.
Continued below…
.
Twenty Lee Strand/Kerry Garda Youth Achievement Merit Award Certificates were presented to individuals who have made a positive contribution to their community and make it a better place to live. The recipients were Iyanu Alousa, Duagh; Clodagh Begley, Tralee; Kacper Bogalecki, Killarney; Patrick Brosnan, Listowel; Daniel Cremin, Killarney; Saoirse Fitzgerald, Killorglin; Dylan Fitzgerald, Castlegrgory; Caoimhe Fitzgerald O’Dowd, Dingle; Danny Finch, Asdee; Sinead Gleeson, Killarney; Michael Horgan, Killarney; Serena Leahy Breen, Glenbeigh; Dáire McGovern, Ballymacelligott; Jack Nagle, Castlemaine; Shannon Oba Elumelu, Tralee; Clodagh O’Connor, Killarney; Kacper Podraza, Castleisland; Martin Quilligan, Tralee; Aishling Rochford, Kenmare and Harry White, Killarney.
Donal Pierse, Chairperson, Lee Strand commented “Over the past 22 years Lee Strand in association with An Garda Siochana have always been proactive in acknowledging and identifying the positive work by young people and voluntary groups to enhance community life in Kerry..”
Chief Superintendent Eileen Foster stated “In times where our young people are facing significant challenges, it is inspiring to see them giving back to their own communities through voluntary work, sport or educational achievements.” Scroll down for photos…
Teresa Oba Elumelu and Merit Award winner Shannon Oba at the Lee Strand Garda Youth Achievement Awards in the Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Friday. Photo by Dermot Crean
.
Merit Award winner Martin Quilligan (centre) with Tara Quilligan and Sharon Quilligan at the Lee Strand Garda Youth Achievement Awards in the Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Friday. Photo by Dermot Crean
Merit Award winner Dáire McGovern (second from left) with Kevin McGovern, Juliette McGovern and Majella Forde of the Tralee Branch of the Irish Red Cross, at the Lee Strand Garda Youth Achievement Awards in the Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Friday. Photo by Dermot Crean
.
Merit Award winner Daniel Cremin (third from left) from Ballyhar with Joseph Looney, Donal Cremin, Eileen Cremin, Shannon Hanafin and Donal McCarthy of the Order of Malta at the Lee Strand Garda Youth Achievement Awards in the Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Friday. Photo by Dermot Crean
Merit Award winner Harry White with Caleb Gleeson, whom he pulled from the water in Banna Strand last year after Caleb got into difficulty, with Sarah and Mark Gleeson and Kerry Garda Division Chief Superintendent Eileen Foster, at the Lee Strand Garda Youth Achievement Awards in the Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Friday. Photo by Dermot Crean
.
Merit Award winner Clodagh O’Connor (centre) from Killarney with Aaron and Tim O’Connor at the Lee Strand Garda Youth Achievement Awards in the Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Friday. Photo by Dermot Crean
Merit Award winner Kacper Podraza (centre) from Castleisland with parents Mariusz and Barbara at the Lee Strand Garda Youth Achievement Awards in the Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Friday. Photo by Dermot Crean
.
Merit Award winner Danny Finch (third from left) from Beale, with Paul Finch, Kathy Sadlier (sponsor), Margaret Finch, Joe Finch, Daniella Suarez Finch and Joan O’Carroll at the Lee Strand Garda Youth Achievement Awards in the Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Friday. Photo by Dermot Crean
Merit Award winner Serena Leahy Breen (second from right), Glenbeigh, with Sabine Brandi, Maria Steinborn, Noreen Leahy and William Leahy at the Lee Strand Garda Youth Achievement Awards in the Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Friday. Photo by Dermot Crean
.
Merit Award winner Pat Brosnan (second left) with Pat Brosnan, Anne and Mairead Brosnan at the Lee Strand Garda Youth Achievement Awards in the Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Friday. Photo by Dermot Crean
