Our main objective for this project was for us to engage with the youth in our community, particularly our second level students. There are two secondary schools in our district – Portumna Community School and Mercy College in Woodford. Both schools offer Transition Year to their students and we felt they would be the ideal candidates for this challenge.
After engaging with the Principals and TY Heads, our sub-committee, Susan Flaherty, Mona Eames and Ann Hodgins visited both schools in mid October to talk about the work we do in our district communities and the current projects we have on the go. A major focus was put on the Young Ambassador Award Programme and students were invited to apply giving the details of
their dream community project if they were given funding of €600.
We had seven extremely talented and passionate students apply, who then attended our interview process at our local Community Day Care Centre on the 28 October. The interviews were 15 minutes and included a presentation of their current community service as well as what they would like to do for the community with the grant of €600 should they win.
The Interview Panel was very impressed with the standard of applicants and their presentations. They were all praised for their efforts and given verbal and written feedback and a commitment of support from us as Lions members should they need assistance to roll-out their dream project in the future. The winner, Zoe O’Brien from Portumna Community School, will now progress to
the ‘All Ireland Final’ to compete with the winners from eight other Lions Clubs. This was the first year that we, Portumna & District Lions Club, participated in this Young Ambassador Award Programme and we look forward to taking part again next year!
portumnaanddistrictlionsclub.ie 