The hard work and commitment of County Leitrim’s young entrepreneurs was apparent once again at the Leitrim County Final of the Student Enterprise Awards. Students from all the secondary schools around the County came to The Bush Hotel for the County Final on March 11th. There were entries in all three categories on the day - Junior, Intermediate and Senior. In total there were 33 student enterprises taking part.

Co-ordinated by the local enterprise offices in excess of 10,000 students from second level schools around the country take part annually in the Student Enterprise Awards. The scheme encourages students to consider setting up their own business in the future through offering them an insight into the development of a business from inception through market research, production, sales, management and record keeping.

The County Final allowed the businesses the opportunity to showcase, discuss and present on the businesses they’d been operating since last September. Over 300 students were involved in the Student Enterprise Competition in Co. Leitrim in the 2014/2015 school year. A number of school finals took place around the county before the final 100 students taking part at the County Final were selected.

Joe Lowe head of local enterprise praised the students for their hard work, dedication and displays on the day and wished the winners every success in Croke Park, Joe also acknowledged the hard work and commitment of the teachers involved without whom it would be impossible to run the programme.

Speaking at the event Frank Curran, CEO of Leitrim County Council thanked the students for their commitment and involvement in the programme and commented on the excellent standard of all the entries present.

The Judges nominated the following county winners to represent Leitrim at the national finals in Croke Park on 22nd April next.

Junior Level Winner – “Pickwicks” from Drumshanbo Vocational School, Drumshanbo.

A team of two first year entrepreneurs design and sell occasion and personalised candles. Having made significant sales these rising entrepreneurs also sold in retail outlets in their area.

Intermediate Level Winner – “Look to Cook” from St. Clare’s Comprehensive, Manorhamilton

Look to Cook produced a cookery book with instructions through pictures rather than text to suit people with reading difficulties.

Senior Level Winner – “Aquabell” from St. Clare’s comprehensive, Manorhamilton.

This group were selling digital shower timers to help users keep track of their water consumption.

Other categories on the day included Display Stands, Interview, Not for Profit and Innovation and many other participating groups won awards in these categories:

1. Second Prize Senior Level – “Make a Move Dance School” – Carrigallen Vocational School, Carrigallen.

2. Third Prize Senior Level – “Krafty Kards” – Ballinamore Community School, Ballinamore..

3. Senior Level Best Business Report – “I mo Chroi” Lough Allen College, Drumkeeran.

4. Senior Level Best Display – “Personalised Mason Jars” – Carrick on Shannon Communtiy School.

5. Senior Level Best Interview - “The Power of Beauty” – Mohill Community College.

6. Senior Level Innovation – “Mure” – St. Clare’s Comprehensive, Manorhamilton.

7. Senior Level Social Enterprise “Passion for Fashion” Lough Allen College, Drumkeeran.

8. Intermediate Level Best Display – Birdy Boys – St. Clare’s Comprehensive School, Manorhamilton.

9. Junior Level Best Display – Chess Nuts – St. Clare’s Comprehensive School, Manorhamilton.

Local Enterprise Office Leitrim congratulates all the entrants and would like to take this opportunity to wish the County Winners the very best of luck in the National Final in Croke Park on April 22nd.