Local students receive Trinity Entrance Exhibition awards

Twelve students from Westmeath have received Entrance Exhibition awards from Trinity College Dublin in recognition of outstanding performances in their final school examinations.

They are among a total of 602 first-year students from the 32 counties and overseas have received Entrance Awards from Trinity this year.

The Westmeath students are: Sara Delaney, Meán Scoil an Chlochar, Kilbeggan; Killian John McGrath, Coláiste Mhuire, Mullingar; Sean Tully, St Finian’s College, Mullingar; Eve Hickey, Loreto College, Mullingar; Ifeoluwaleke Aarez Brian Mogaji, Wilson’s Hospital; Kelsey McGreal, Scoil Sheosaimh Naofa, Rochfortbridge; Emily Winters, Moate Community School; Mousa Alsaadi, Coláiste Mhuire, Athlone; Nina Stehelova, LSU Des Sacre Coeurs, Athlone; Szymon Tomasz Skoczen, Coláiste Chiaráin, Athlone; China Lynch, Athlone Community College; Heather McDermott, Athlone Community College.

The students and their former school principals were invited to receive their awards at ceremonies in Trinity’s Examination Hall on January 20-22.

There are 59 students receiving awards from 39 countries outside Ireland. Of the Irish awardees, 393 are from schools in Leinster, 67 are from Munster, 42 from Connacht and 41 from Ulster.

Trinity Provost Dr Linda Doyle congratulated all the awardees: “It is our great privilege to welcome these wonderful students to Trinity College Dublin. They deserve enormous credit for the hard work and commitment that have brought them to this point. I have every confidence that they will thrive in Trinity’s academic environment and enjoy the creativity and fun of our 150 sports clubs and societies.

“I also want to congratulate all those who have supported these students. In addition to their parents and guardians, I want to acknowledge the dedication of school principals, teachers and wider school staff, primary and secondary, who play such a vital role in bringing out the best in students during their formative years.”

The awards go to students accepted into the first year of a full-time undergraduate degree who achieve the highest points among Trinity entrants from their secondary school, above a minimum of 500 CAO points (or equivalent).

When more than one student from a school gets the same high points, all receive an award.

Many former awardees have gone on to make a significant contribution to the economic, cultural, and political life of Ireland and beyond. Past exhibitioners include former taoiseach, Leo Varadkar.

Awardees receive certificates and €150 book tokens.