Marist College Annual Awards Ceremony

This week we had the privilege of celebrating the many varied achievements of Marist students in 2018/2019. This ceremony, as always, is an incredible summing up of achievements in the current academic year – a year which has had hugely commendable successes, both in academia and sport.

Our ceremony was packed with a huge array of sporting achievements. Marist students represent the school in a wide variety of fields including athletics, soccer, rugby, hurling, Gaelic football, basketball, rowing, swimming, sailing, equestrian, golf, dancing and kick-boxing. The vast number of awards presented is a testament to the hard work and commitment of our cohort.

Academic success was recognised with awards presented to the students with the top results in exams across the academic year. There were also subject specific awards in core subjects English, Irish, Maths and Science. From UCD Junior debating, Sci-Fest and the National Mathematical Olympiad to name but a few, our students were awarded for their successes in competitions that took place across the country.

We also celebrated the many successes of our Marist Leaders, Junior Major and the Garda Youth Award winners, recognising the fantastic voluntary work of Marist students in the local community.

The ceremony drew to a close with the presentation of the long-established and very prestigious ‘Student of the Year’ award, the Champagnat Awards, the Victor Ludorum Shield, the Brother Philip Maths Award and the Good Conduct Gold Medal.

Each year Bank of Ireland kindly sponsor two ‘Student of the Year’ awards for Outstanding Contribution to Marist College. Thanks to Derek Glennon from the Bank of Ireland for presenting these important awards. This year the Junior BOI award went to Dylan Gavin and the Senior Award was presented to TJ Okudugha.

The Champagnat Award is voted on by teachers and presented to a Junior and Senior student who have remained diligent to their pursuit of education. Congratulations to Junior winner, Barry Golden and Senior Champagnat Award winner Eric McCallon.

The Victor Ludorm Shield is awarded to an Outstanding Senior Sportsman and is voted on by the student body. This year we had three nominees; Joe Carmody, Shane Cunnane and Conor Glennon. All three holding hugely impressive achievements in their individual sports. Congratulations to Shane Cunnane who was awarded the shield for 2019.

The Brother Philip Award acknowledges outstanding performance in Maths. It is awarded to the student who has the best average in all senior Higher-level Maths exams, across 5th year, 6th year and mock exams. In third place, was Paul McGrath, second place was Ian O’Rourke and Billy McDonnell came in first place, with an outstanding average of 96.5%. This is the highest score achieved in Marist College history.

The Good Conduct Gold medal is another long-established award traditionally voted on by our students. They vote for the Senior student that they believe best embodies the Marist values of respect and attitude to hard work. Congratulations to the 2019 recipient TJ Okudugha.

This year marked the beginning of the Maureen Dooley Maths Award. Ms Dooley was an inspiration to her students. She strove for excellence in Mathematics with all her students and has left a legacy of a love of her subject. In her memory, her family wish to celebrate her contribution to Mathematics in Marist College. This award acknowledges outstanding performance in Maths and is awarded to a 3rd Year student who has the best average in all Higher Level Maths exams. Congratulations to David Dolan who was the recipient of the inaugural Maureen Dooley Maths award.

Congratulations to all our students for a very eventful and rewarding year. Thanks to our many guest presenters from the locality for their continued support and involvement in Marist College.