A student in Davis College, Mallow, has been selected as the regional final winner in this year’s prestigious Rotary Youth Leadership Development Competition which is run throughout Co. Cork. Áine O Rourke, who is a 5th Year student in the school, was announced as the winner at the Zone Final held at Mallow Golf Club.
The competition, which is one of Rotary Ireland’s longest running youth projects, rewards young people with clear leadership potential based on their extra-curricular activities. It is run in conjunction with the EU Parliament office in Dublin and Euroscola in Strasbourg.
Áine impressed the judges with her knowledge of European topical issues, Rotary, National and European community issues, the environment and her articulate and fluent presentation.
Her success came after she was selected to represent her school in the final of the Mallow Rotary Club Youth Leadership Development Competition club final.
As a result of her win, Áine will now enjoy an all-expenses paid trip to Strasbourg, Belfast and Dublin in the coming months with fellow regional winners from all around the island of Ireland.
Regional winner Áine O’Rourke said, “I am extremely grateful to have been chosen to represent Mallow at the Zone Final stage of the Rotary Youth Leadership Competition. The outstanding work of Rotary and their involvement in local communities is an inspiration to me.”
Denis O’Donovan, President of Mallow Rotary, congratulated Áine on her wonderful achievement and praised all the students who had gotten through to the final, and all those who had entered this year’s competition. “The standard of presentations was excellent this year and great credit is due to all our finalists and indeed everyone who took part in earlier rounds. We hope everyone enjoyed the experience and benefited from taking part. The competition is continuing to go from strength to strength but of course this would not be possible without the invaluable support which teachers and parents give to students. Sincere thanks for that support.”
Áine’s Tutor, Carina Carey, stated that, “Davis College greatly appreciates the opportunity to participate in the Rotary Youth Leadership Competition annually, which greatly enhances the promotion of further student leadership and student voice within our school and community”
The Rotary Youth Leadership Development Competition is open to 16- and 17-year-olds who are living on the island of Ireland.