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By Michelle Crean

A group of TY students from Killarney Community College, 'The Connected Four', have been shortlisted for the Young Social Innovators of the Year Award. They were shortlisted under the challenge 'Make our country more inclusive and poverty free'. The group will pitch their project to a panel of judges, via Zoom on May 10.

The group were also shortlisted for a Virgin Media Digital Media Award, a separate category by Virgin Media to recognise young people's positive application of digital technology for the purpose of social good and to promote digital well-being. The students also made a pitch to a panel of judges from Virgin Media yesterday (Thursday).

The Connected Four include Luke O'Sullivan, Rachel Griffin, Amy O'Donoghue, Eva Lynch, Jack O'Connell, Lauren Fleming, Keelyn O'Leary, Lulu Healy and Ekaterina Gaeve.

They aim to raise awareness about the false perception of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)/Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), Dyslexia and Dyspraxia also known as Development Coordination Disorder (DCD), how the four are connected and the lack of education around these conditions due to a lack of accessible resources and supporting communities. The students have a very active Instagram and Facebook account with detailed information on the four conditions. They have written a book aimed at Junior Infants to Second Class to break down prejudice about these conditions at a young age. The students, with the help of funds and mentoring from the YSI Den, are hoping to publish this book both physically and digitally in the next few weeks.

"We are extremely proud of this group's achievement thus far, highlighting key information and championing those diagnosed with four conditions which have previously been deemed to restrict or hinder a student's educational progression in the past. This group aims to shed light and understanding on the Connected Four," YSI coordinator Ms Cowley said.