Success for Moate students at national student enterprise finals

Five Moate Community School students who came up with an innovative eco-friendly product called 'Cosy Covers' have won an award at the national finals of the student enterprise awards.

The national finals ceremony in Croke Park took place online last Wednesday. RTE's Rick O'Shea hosted the event, which was broadcast through Facebook and YouTube.

The Moate students, who were supported by Westmeath's Local Enterprise Office, won the 'Best Commercial Potential' award in the junior category.

The winning students were: Lauren Finan, Ellen Raleigh, Skyla Looney, Kacey Mulvihill and Aine Broderick, and they worked under the guidance of their teacher, Lisa Doyle.

Their student enterprise was called 'Cosy Covers' and consisted of a simple, eco-friendly, sewn aide that takes the hazard out of taking hot kitchenware out of a microwave.

This year saw a record number of 85 student enterprises competing in Ireland’s largest entrepreneurship programme for second level students.

The initiative, funded by the Government through Enterprise Ireland, and delivered by the 31 Local Enterprise Offices in local authorities throughout the country, saw close to 26,000 students from almost 500 secondary schools across the country taking part.

Christine Charlton of the Westmeath Local Enterprise Office congratulated the Moate CS students on their prestigious award which she said was recognition for all their hard work.

"We have seen over 220,000 students learn how to successfully run a business in the 18 years of the Student Enterprise Programme, thanks to a long-term partnership between local schools and Local Enterprise Offices.

"Judging by this year’s finalists and winners, the future is bright for entrepreneurs here in Westmeath," said Ms Charlton.

The students who reached the national finals in the junior, intermediate and senior categories saw judging take place virtually, via electronic submissions.

Each student enterprise was challenged with creating, setting up and running their own business, which must show sales of their service or product.

The judging panel included business owners and representatives from enterprise agencies and associated bodies.

The three main category winners on the day were: ‘Handy Hose’ from CBS Thurles (Senior Category Winner), ‘Aim It Board’ from Loreto College, Stephen's Green, Dublin, (Intermediate Category Winner), and ‘Sofatop’ from Ballybay Community School in Monaghan (Junior Category Winner).