Students from CBS High School, Clonmel, win top prize at the Student Enterprise Awards National Final 2010.

Two students from Clonmel CBS High School, Brendan Martin & Mark O’Reilly, whose business idea called Play it Safe, the production of a deck of playing cards with 54 rules on how to cycle safely, walked away with 1st prize in the Junior Category at the Student Enterprise Awards National Final which took place in Croke Park on Tuesday 27th April.
 
They beat stiff competition from throughout Ireland to scoop the top prize of €300 and a fine trophy. It is wonderful to see such innovation in our schools. The awards are organised by the County Enterprise Boards whose aim is to foster an innovation and enterprise culture amongst students.

Two other schools represented South Tipperary at the National Finals.  In the Senior Category we were ably represented by Evan Ryan and Alex Lonergan with “The Hive” from CBS Carrick-on-Suir.  The Intermediate Category representatives were Sarah O’Connell, Aisling Kelly, Megan Hassett with “Sams Shirts” from Scoil Ruain, Killenaule.

The up-and-coming entrepreneurs at the National Final showcased their products and services for the judging panel, such as children’s music books, home-baking kits, environmental board games, household chore coupons, educational cartoons and even a turkey-rearing service.

The Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation, Batt O’Keeffe T.D., together with one of Ireland’s best-known entrepreneurs, Bill Cullen, were both clearly impressed with the standard of enterprise at this year’s National Final.
 
Speaking at the awards ceremony, Minister O’Keeffe commented: “With nearly 15,000 students now involved in the Student Enterprise Programme nationally, it’s apparent that the spirit of enterprise has been well fostered in Irish classrooms. Thanks to the support of teachers, parents, principals and the local County and City Enterprise Boards, our student entrepreneurs here at the National Final are great ambassadors for the overall Student Enterprise Programme.”

Since last September, 14,940 secondary school students from 400 schools have been researching, setting-up and managing their own real-life student enterprises. Through the Student Enterprise programme, students learn how to brain-storm business ideas, they also learn how to identify solutions for everyday problems and they are encouraged to use their own talents in their entrepreneurial roles.