Some 63 students who sat the Junior Certificate exam in 2009 at secondary schools throughout Westmeath were recognised at a special award ceremony at AIT last week.
The students have the distinction of achieving an A in the Business Studies examination last summer. Each student was presented with a parchment at the ceremony recording their excellent performance.
Students from 10 Westmeath post-primary schools were represented: Athlone Community College; Coláiste Mhuire, Mullingar; Loreto College, Mullingar; Marist College, Athlone; Moate Community School; Our Lady’s Bower, Athlone; St Aloysius College, Athlone; St Joseph’s College, Summerhill; St Joseph’s Secondary School, Rochfortbridge; and Wilson’s Hospital School, Multyfarnham.
Guest speaker at the ceremony was Brenda Shanahan, winner of the first series of The Apprentice on TV3. Drawing on her business experience, Ms Shanahan spoke about the importance of motivation and taking the initiative in order to be successful. Originally from Portumna, Co Galway, she studied front office management in Athlone in the early 90s.
Head of the department of Business and Management Studies, Peter Melinn, said that“In congratulating the award recipients, AIT also wishes to acknowledge the part played in their success by parents and guardians, other family members and the teachers who guided their learning and helped to motivate the students towards their achievement in the business studies exam”. He hoped the excellent result which the students gained in the Junior Certificate would, he added, “inspire them to continue to do their best and fulfil their potential in the years ahead”.
The President of the Business Studies Teachers Association of Ireland, Mary O’Sullivan, also commended the students on their achievements. She spoke about the value and importance of studying business at second level and how it offered the potential for exciting and rewarding careers.
The award ceremony was supported by Athlone Credit Union. Musical entertainment on the evening was provided by students of the Higher Certificate in Business with Music and Instrument Technology.
Some 21,870 students sat the Business Studies (Higher ) exam paper in the Junior Certificate 2009. Ten per cent of this cohort received an A grade.
