Tipperary ladies receive prestigious awards from President Michael ...

yesterday

TipperaryLive.ie

President Michael D. Higgins recently presented 73 young people, including two from Tipperary, with the Gaisce Gold Award at a ceremony in Áras an Uachtaráin.

Each year the Gaisce Gold Award ceremony celebrates the tremendous societal contribution made by these young people, recognising the milestones which they have reached in their personal development journey.

Claire Hennebry from Scoil Mhuire Greenhills Carrick and Gillian Fogarty from Our Lady’s Secondary were both awarded medals from the President.

This year’s participants mastered a wide range of skills, activities and projects, from learning Irish Sign Language and Chinese, to hiking some of Ireland’s most challenging peaks, volunteering in youth and community work, learning a musical instrument and developing their leadership skills.

Gaisce –The President’s Award, is a personal development programme for young people aged 14 -25.

As Ireland’s national youth award, Gaisce is a direct challenge from the President of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins, to all young people to dream big and realise their potential.

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The Award programme empowers participants to cultivate essential life skills and foster a sense of responsibility and resilience through a nationally and internationally recognised non-formal education framework. The programme also fosters a sense of community involvement, with all participants giving back to their community via their chosen volunteer activity.

This year’s Gold Awardees have dedicated a total of 21,060 hours to achieving personal goals and volunteering within their communities.

Gaisce’s vision is an Ireland where every young person, no matter their circumstances, has the opportunity to participate in the President’s Award. Gaisce consistently works to achieve this vision, delivering key initiatives to ensure equality of access and opportunity.

Speaking prior to the Awards, President of Ireland, Michael D Higgins said:

"Today we honour the hard work, perseverance and commitment of our Gaisce Gold recipients.

"This moment represents the pinnacle of a journey on which you have embarked with courage, dedication, and vision, a journey that has shaped you, deepened your understanding of community, a testament to your determination and the personal growth that you have each achieved.

"In earning the Gold Award, each of you has undertaken a unique journey of personal and social development, volunteered your time, energy and talent to help others, to be a light for those in need. In doing so, you have become agents of change, shaping a brighter and more inclusive world.

"As we look towards the 40th anniversary of Gaisce next year, let today serve as a rallying call, not only to celebrate the achievements of our awardees but also to reaffirm our commitment to inclusivity, to reach and empower young people from all walks of life, to create opportunities for those who may feel marginalized or isolated, providing a platform for them on which their voices can be heard."

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