Congratulations to 5th Year student Kerri Halpenny, who represented the school in this Year’s area stage of the Rotary Youth Leadership Development Competition.

This event has been running for over 25 years around Ireland. Students who have demonstrated great leadership potential through their involvement in school and community-based activities are invited to enter the competition.

Kerri was selected as the DGS representative this year, having come through the school interview stage. In total four 5th Year students entered and Mr. Stephen Egan, a member of Dundalk Rotary Club, who conducted the interviews commented on the exceptional standard among all participants.

Kerri went forward to the area final, which included all the main post-primary schools in Dundalk and the surrounding area.

This involved presenting for interview in the Ballymascanlon Hotel on Tuesday 22nd October. Mr. Sean O’Hanrahan and Mr. Frank Toal (Dundalk Rotary Club) along with Ms. Joanna Gardiner (CEO OVELLE Skincare & Family Apothecary) were the judges.

On Monday last, 4th November, Kerri along with the other school winners was invited to a lunch in the Ballymascanlon Hotel for the announcement of the overall school winner in the Dundalk area.

A student from St. Mary’s College was selected as the overall winner and Kerri was highly commended for her achievements and involvement in both school and her local community, as demonstrated at both rounds of interviews.

Congratulations Kerri.