Rotary Club honours young local achievers
The Rotary Club of Athlone held a special presentation evening in the Radisson Blu Hotel, Athlone, last week where awards and certificates were presented to winners and participants in the Rotary Young Writers Competition and the Rotary Youth Leadership Competition.
Students, parents, teachers, judges and Rotary members gathered to celebrate the achievements of young people from schools across the Midlands. The competitions involved students from Our Lady’s Bower, Athlone Community College, Athlone Mixed National School, Moate Community School and Coláiste Chiaráin.
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Rotary Club president Tony Gannon and Mike Ganly with Araine Eugenie Selva (2nd), district prizewinner at the Athlone Rotary Club Awards. Paul Molloy 2026Image 2 of 6
Daniel Obikoya, Tony Gannon, and Pat Ryan of Athlone Rotary Club with junior writers recipients, Milo Browne Simon (3rd), Ciosa O’ Brien (1st) and Dillon Warby (2nd) Photos: Paul Molloy. Paul Molloy 2026Image 3 of 6
Tony Gannon and Pat Ryan of Athlone Rotary Club with senior writers recipients, Kristin So (2nd), Drishika Gujjaru (1st) and Aristide Selve (3rd). Photos: Paul Molloy. Paul Molloy 2026Image 4 of 6
Daniel Obikoya, youth development, Tom Mulligan, Tony Gannon, president and Pat Ryan with intermediate writers recipients, Alma Prasetiya (2nd) and Araine Eugenie Selva (1st) at the Athlone Rotary Club Awards. Photo Paul Molloy. Paul Molloy 2026Image 5 of 6
Tony Gannon and Mike Ganly with Drishika Gujjaru (1st in Rotary District). Photo: Paul Molloy. Paul Molloy 2026Image 6 of 6
Tony Gannon and Tom Mulligan of Athlone Rotary Club with youth leadership winner Aristide Selve from Coláiste Chiaráin. Paul Molloy 2026In the Rotary Young Writers Competition, Ciosa O’Brien of Athlone Mixed National School won the Junior Category. Araine‑Eugenie Selve of Coláiste Chiaráin won the Intermediate Category and later achieved second place at District level. The Senior Category winner was Drishika Gujjaru of Our Lady’s Bower, who also secured first place at District level. Other students recognised on the evening included Dillon Warby, Milo Browne Simon, Alma Prasetiya, Ciara Starrs, Kirstin So and Aristide Selve.
The Rotary Youth Leadership Competition attracted 15 entries from Our Lady’s Bower, Athlone Community College, Moate Community School and Coláiste Chiaráin. Winners included James Duffy of Athlone Community College, Katie Creggy of Moate Community School and Aristide Selve of Coláiste Chiaráin, who was named the overall Athlone Club Winner.
Athlone Rotary Club also hosted the Zone 7 Finals involving Athlone, Naas, Newbridge, Mullingar and Tullamore Rotary Clubs. The successful Zone 7 winners were Angelina Sewell of Tullamore and Aristide Selve representing Athlone.
Both winners later took part in an educational visit including the European Parliament in Strasbourg. Speaking during the evening, Aristide Selve described the experience as almost life-changing and said it gave him a greater understanding of politics and public life.
Incoming President Tony Gannon praised the exceptional standard displayed by the young participants and said: “The young people of the Midlands continue to impress us with their talent, creativity, confidence and leadership qualities.”