AWARD: Ben Cussen, Aoife O'Brien, Darja Puzanova, Julia Olabode and Caoimhe Fleming awarded this week for their 'Be Dementia Aware' Young Social Innovators project. Photo: Michelle Crean

EXCLUSIVE

By Michelle Crean

Socially conscious secondary school students from Killarney have received another award for their dedication to Dementia awareness.

The group 'Be Dementia Aware' from Killarney Community College, who appeared just weeks ago on RTÉ's 'Today Show' with Maura and Dáithí, received the Young Social Innovators (YSI) 'Schools of Excellence Award' on Tuesday.

The award, which they'll physically receive in December due to the current restrictions, recognises the commitment and leadership within schools in supporting student and teacher involvement in social innovation education.

Students Ben Cussen, Aoife O'Brien, Darja Puzanova, Julia Olabode and Caoimhe Fleming, now in Leaving Cert, began their project when in Transition Year and have won many awards including Cork Speakout, a National Young Social Innovators Social Media Award in Croke Park, and earlier this year a Garda Youth Award.

Some school teachers with five-years of participation in YSI received the 'Let Them Shine' award including their hardworking teacher Lorraine Crowley.

"We started our YSi project in Transition Year," student Darja told the Killarney Advertiser. "We researched different topics and spoke about different issues. Some students had relatives and teachers had family members with Dementia and told us some very touching stories. We are thrilled with this award. It helps promote awareness on Dementia."

WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT

Addressing the awards participants and winners, President of Ireland and Young Social Innovators Patron, Michael D. Higgins, wrote:

“I believe passionately that young people can be the powerful catalysts for social change when given the opportunity and support, such as that which we showcase at Young Social Innovators. I want to say how inspired I am by your endeavours. You are the future, but we need you to help shape the future that you will inherit. The future is not something provided to you, but something you create. Young Social Innovators gives you an opportunity to do that.”

Principal Stella Loughnane noted that the school is very lucky to have such a great bunch of conscientious students.

"We count ourselves extremely lucky to have such an exemplary group of students whom are not only role models for their peers but also exemplify everything good about teenagers and what they can achieve. The awareness they have created about such a notable cause is amazing and we are delighted their achievements are now being recognised and celebrated on a national level."