Children impress judges at Environmental Youth Speak

Children impress judges at Environmental Youth Speak

3 April 2024

THE winners of Newry, Mourne and Down Council’s Environmental Youth Speak competition 2024 were announced in the Downshire Civic Centre, Downpatrick, last Thursday.

The annual competition, organised by the council’s sustainability team, aims to encourage debate on sustainability issues to empower the next generation to become environmental leaders. 

The event saw 12 talented pupils from schools across the council area present their environmentally themed speeches to a panel of judges.

Pupils submitted their speeches online initially and the top eight primary school pupils and four secondary pupils were selected to perform their speeches in person at the final. 

The judges were impressed by how thought-provoking and informative the speeches were with each participant demonstrating a deep understanding of the importance of their topic. 

Primary school pupils spoke on the topic “I’m an energy detective and I’ve been busy investigating how to save energy. Here’s what I found”.

Secondary school pupils were asked to speak on “How do we feed the world without destroying the planet”.  

After listening to all of the speeches the judging panel chose Josie Hughes from Grange Primary School, Kilkeel, as the junior champion and Lily-Ann O’Loughlin, from Our Lady’s Grammar School, Newry, as the senior champion. 

Runners-up in the junior section were Aaron Taylor, from Drumlins Integrated Primary School, Ballynahinch, and Natasha O’Connor from St Mary’s Primary School, Killyleagh. Runners up in the senior section were Akshara Sawant, from Sacred Heart Grammar School, Newry, and Catherine Ogle, from St Joseph’s High School, Crossmaglen.

Highly commended were Ethan Miller, from St Louis’ Grammar School, Kilkeel, Dáire McGrotty, from Annsborough Integrated Primary School, Cara Trainor, from Sacred Heart Primary School, Dundrum, Myla Chigariro from St Malachy’s Primary School, Castlewellan, Ellen Strain, from 

St Malachy’s Primary School, Camlough, and Lily Rose McAlinden, from St Bronagh’s Primary School, Rostrevor.

Council chairperson Valerie Harte said: “The aim of the competition is to encourage environmental awareness among young people by providing them with an opportunity to research, debate and understand particular environmental themes thoroughly.

“Combating climate change and protecting the environment is an important role for everyone and it is encouraging to hear pupils talk so passionately about energy saving techniques and sustainable food production.”

She added: “I would like to thank all the schools and students who took part in the competition this year. Empowering the next generation to speak out is a hugely important part of effective global climate action.”

All participants received a commemorative certificate, voucher, goodie bag and a bag of New Leaf compost.