Derry students New-York bound for prestigious Loukoumi Awards

PICTURED ABOVE: NEW YORK BOUND! . . . . St. Joseph's Boys School students Jack McLaughlin, Michael Doherty and Olly Page pictured with teacher Miss Ciara McCallion who, along with Principal, Mrs. Ciara Deane, left for the United States of America and destination New York early on Wednesday morning last, after being nominated for an award in the 10th Annual Loukoumi 'Make A Difference' Awards. (Photo: Jim McCafferty Photography)

Three students from St. Joseph’s Boys School along with Principal, Mrs. Ciara Deane and teacher Mrs. Ciara McCallion left for America on Wednesday morning, bound for New York for four days and the 10th Annual Loukoumi Awards where they’ve been nominated for one of the prestigious prizes – the ‘Make A Difference’ award.

The three students – Jack McLaughlin and Michael Doherty (Year 8s) and Olly Page (Year 9) were delighted to be told the good news recently by Principal, Mrs. Ciara Deane – ‘Get your passports up to date, as we’re heading to the Big Apple in a few weeks!’

The excited students said they were not only looking forward to travelling to the United States, but getting a chance to speak at a conference and a day off to get to sightsee some of the best New York has to offer.

A delighted young Jack McLaughlin said: ‘We’ve been told we’ll get to visit Ground Zero, take in a Broadway show, visit the famous St. Patrick’s Cathedral where we’ll participate in a Mass and also get to meet the various students that we’ve only seen on zoom calls so far. The three of us are really looking forward to it!’

The school was put forward for the awards last year by no other than His Eminence Archbishop Eamon Martin, Primate of All-Ireland and the students have been participating in various online activities with a host of other schools from around the world.

Based in America, the Loukoumi ‘Make A Difference’ Foundation envisions a future in which all children have the opportunity to make a difference in their lives and the lives of others. They encourage children and young adults to make a difference in their own lives by following their career dreams and to make a difference in the lives of others by paying forward their talents through community service projects that mean something to them – all while having fun in the process.

The Foundation hosts an international Good Deed Council of schools worldwide and monthly, across 13.5 hours of time zones, students meet on Zoom to share their cultures and customs, the good deed projects they are working on in their communities and together they collaborate on global good deed projects. St. Joseph’s is the only school from Ireland involved in the project with educational establishments from Canada, Italy, Greece, Spain, Tanzania, Uganda, and Ecuador. 

Speaking before departure on Wednesday morning, Principal Mrs. Ciara Deane said she was looking forward to the experience and very proud of what the students had achieved in the project.

The opportunity to work with the Loukoumi Good Deeds Foundation has surpassed all our expectations. I see good deeds daily at school. The support that the boys show each is our culture and ethos. Sometimes in a busy environment we do not take the time to stop and fully appreciate the impact of peer support and the motivation that young people can give all staff. The Loukoumi Award has captured this.

St. Joseph’s Boys School Principal, Mrs. Ciara Deane

The award celebrates the relationship between the boys and their school, their parish, and their wider community. The Foundation has witnessed the strong Catholic ethos in the school and the spirit of inclusion and celebration of difference that drives our vision of achievement for all.

‘I am overwhelmed with the opportunities that the boys have been given. The boys will pray for the pupils, parents, staff, and our parish at St. Patrick's Cathedral in NYC this Friday at noon. It is a privilege to lead this experience and to be given an international platform for St. Joseph's Boys school.’

Teacher Miss Ciara McCallion, also travelling with the boys, and who has been involved in the project from its fruition with fellow teacher Mr. Paul Quigley, said she was proud of the nomination and hoped to bring back the award to the Creggan school.

She said: ‘This recognition celebrates the incredible efforts of our boys’ commitment to making good deeds to help and support others in our school and wider community. Being able to attend in person and share this moment is truly special and it highlights the positive impact our students across the entire school are making in their local community.’

The travelling party from St. Joseph’s will return early Sunday, and Mrs. Deane said hopefully we will have the award in tow and ready to put up pride of place in school on Monday morning!