STUDENTS across the district are being offered the chance to win the top prize in the schools’ section of this year’s Dermot Curran Young Achiever Awards.
Launched seven years ago, the district-wide competition attracts a fascinating range of school teams and their projects.
Down Council officials have written to all the district’s post-primary school principals inviting them to select at least one team from their school for the competition.
Local authority economic development manager David Patterson said the competition is a “brilliant opportunity” to showcase the enterprise and teamwork of young people at school.
He explained that within each of the four competition categories, there’s a chance of winning £250 which can go towards further project work or new equipment for the school.
Entries will be assessed by an independent panel which will select a winner from the categories of business and enterprise, science and technology, health awareness and culture and citizenship.
“The judges are looking forward to reviewing a wide range of nominations and suggestions of how teams would propose to use the winning prize money,” he added.
Councillor Curran said he’s looking forward to the annual event, promoting the talent, teamwork and enterprise of the district’s young people.
He added: “I strongly encourage all post-primary schools in the district to enter their teams in advance of the deadline.”
All nominated school teams will be invited to attend the awards ceremony at the Down Arts Centre on Downpatrick on Thursday, April 18. The ceremony will also include awards to students from South Eastern Regional College and will provide young people with the opportunity to question an expert panel drawn from local businesses.
Final team nominations should be returned to Down Council by Monday, April 8. Further information about the awards is available from Mr. Patterson, telephone (028) 4461 0856.