Athlone schools sweep the boards at enterprise competition

Over 120 secondary school students showcased their business acumen and innovation at Golden Island Shopping Centre, Athlone, last Friday as the competed in the Westmeath Student Enterprise competition. Schools from the South Westmeath region enjoyed tremendous success, scooping first, second and third prizes in the senior category and first in the intermediate and junior categories. The winners in the senior, intermediate and junior categories will represent Westmeath in the national finals of the Student Enterprise Awards to be held in Croke Park on April 18. Thirty nine projects were short-listed for these annual awards that encourage second level students to develop a viable business idea. The event was jointly hosted by MC Noel O'Farrell and Martina of O'Farrell Communications. Students competed in three different categories, Junior, Intermediate and Senior. The schools participating in the Student Enterprise County Final were Loreto College, Mullingar; Moate Community School; Mullingar Community College; St Joseph's, Summerhill; Athlone Community College; St. Aloysius Athlone; Marist College, Athlone; Colaiste Cionn Torc and Mercy Convent Kilbeggan. Two of the competing teams imported their product from overseas and set up a distribution business while other students focused on their inventive side and created new product ideas which they then designed and manufactured. Students brainstormed to create feasible business ideas, and then endeavoured to turn their ideas into a profitable business. They were supported in this work by two business coaches from Westmeath Enterprise Board who visit the schools regularly to assist pupils in developing their ideas. Tracey Tallon, Business Advisor with Westmeath County Enterprise Board, said: "We never fail to be impressed with the business acumen of the students. Each year the bar seems to get higher as students develop even more impressive ideas. We can really see that students are gaining an awareness of how to run their own business and we feel the skills learnt will really stand to these students in the future. They will never be daunted by setting up their own businesses." Tracey also wanted to pay tribute to the teachers from the finalists schools, who work with the students continuously in guiding them with their business planning. CEO of Westmeath County Enterprise Board Christine Charlton congratulated students for the high quality of their business enterprises and encouraged students to continue their entrepreneurial skills. All students who reached the county final were presented with a student enterprise certificate, Westmeath CEB goodie pack containing a Westmeath CEB hoody, memory stick and lunch vouchers. Overall category winners received cash prizes and were presented beautifully designed Bog Buddie Presentation pieces from Anthony and Vincent McKay's Bog Buddies Studios in Bastion Gallery. Athlone. WINNERS: Senior Category 1: Conor McGrath and Shaun McGloin of Marist College, Athlone: 'Sheep Shoe' an invention they designed themselves which assists in treating sheep with foot problems. 2: Jack Quinn, Jamie O'Kane, Chris Reid and Daragh Joyce from Athlone Community College: "Ice N Easy", for their idea which was an ice pack holder for sports injuries now in use by senior rugby teams. 3. Ellen Sheridan and Katie Linnane from Moate Community College: Third place went to Linnane and Sheridan, a beauty book written and produced by the two. Most Innovative Business Project: Maps and Mats, from St Joseph's Summerhill, a new geography learning tool for primary school students Best Business Display went to 'Commencez Le Francais' of Athlone Community College Intermediate: 1: "Birth Stars", Athlone Community College students Therese Lennon, Natasha Keane and Claire Flannery. Junior 1: "Croi" of Moate Community College with students Niamh Murray, Rachel Duffy and Katie Kelly