THREE Clare students have put themselves in the picture for award success on the double. Ennis Coláiste Muire students Sybil Perkins and Catherine Gorman, alongside Ella Bliss from St Joseph’s Secondary School in Tulla were among the students from the mid-west region to recently be presented with certificates of achievement from the Kemmy Business School (KBS) University of Limerick.
The students were given the prestigious award after obtaining distinctions (90-100%) in Junior Cycle Business in 2019.  The event, held in association with the Business Studies Teachers Association of Ireland (BSTAI), celebrates and recognises excellence in Junior Cycle Business Studies.
However, this wasn’t the only win for the talented Clare students. Following the awards ceremony, the Kemmy Business School ran a social media photograph competition asking awardees to submit photographs of themselves with their awards. So enthused by the effort and participation of applicants were the committee that it was decided to expand their prize pool to the 10 best photographs, with Sybil, Catherine and Ella named among them.
This was the first virtual awards ceremony and the eighth year that the Kemmy Business School (KBS) has held these awards,  105 students representing 45 secondary schools from Clare, Kerry, Limerick and Tipperary, were recognised at the event, which was also viewed by their parents, families, business studies teachers and school principals.
In welcoming the students to the ceremony, Professor Philip O’Regan, Former Dean, Kemmy Business School, said, “We are delighted to recognise this fantastic achievement of our young awardees – the region’s top Business Studies students in the Junior Certificate 2019.  I congratulate all on their wonderful achievement and would also like to pay tribute to the commitment and dedication of their teachers in helping the students achieve such excellence”.
This year’s guest speaker was Gearóid Hegarty, All-Star and PwC Hurler of the Year 2020.  Gearóid was part of the All-Ireland winning Limerick hurling team of 2018 and 2020 and is a Kemmy Business School alumnus himself.  Gearóid spoke about his own journey, on and off the pitch, and congratulated all the recipients on their amazing achievement.
Olivia Cumiskey, Chairperson, Limerick/Clare Branch of the BSTAI thanked the Kemmy Business School for organising the event and thanked the teachers who supported their students behind the scenes, and in front of the class, which led in part to their achievement.
Commenting at the ceremony, Ms Margaret McDonnell, Honorary National President, BSTAI, said, “in 2019 36,268 students sat the Junior Cycle Business Studies Exam and only 1.8% of those achieved the distinction, getting over 90% of an overall grade, so this is a fantastic result”.