Patrician Academy student Eoghan Kenny has been named as one of 20 finalists in the 2017 Pramerica Spirit of Community Awards, the only All-Ireland youth initiative of its kind which rewards post-primary students for outstanding acts of volunteerism and the positive contribution they make in their local communities and further afield. Eoghan, a fourth year student, was motivated to give back to his community following a devastating fire at his school last summer, but his volunteering activities aren’t limited to one organisation or group of people, as he gives his time to read at Mass and is  a member of the Mallow Parish Pastoral Council. He also led his school council in organising Christmas food hampers for local charities and gave his time to help at a Christmas party for the elderly in his area. Eoghan also trains the local under 11 hurling and football teams for two hours twice a week, and also volunteers with the organising team behind the Munster Maths and Science Fair.
“Eoghan has so much to give and we are very fortunate in having him as part of our school community,” said teacher Annette Harte. “People who make changes at local level are the very people who go on to inspire others. Eoghan epitomises what community spirit is all about.”
The post-primary students, who hail from all corners of Ireland, will be presented with €500 and an engraved silver medallion at the gala awards ceremony on 23rd March at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Dublin, with special guest speaker Irish international rugby player Jordi Murphy. At the gala, two of the 20 students will be named All-Ireland Youth Volunteers of the Year, receiving €1,000, a gold medallion, a crystal trophy for their school, and an all-expense paid trip to the United States in May to participate in the Prudential ‘Spirit of Community’ Awards ceremony.