Derry students New York bound for prestigious Loukoumi Foundation Good Deed Summit

Seven students from St. Joseph’s Boys School along with Principal, Mrs. Ciara Deane, teacher Mrs. Ciara McCallion and the school Manager, Ms. Melissa Grant will leave for America on Wednesday morning, bound for New York for six days where they will take part in the prestigious Loukoumi Foundation Good Deed Summit.

The seven Year 13 students will be in New York from Wednesday next, April 22, returning Monday, April 28 – and include Tristan Doran, Jude White, Liam Collins, Harley Nixon, Kian Mitchell, Jordan Kelly and Callum Hughes who were all delighted to be told the good news recently by Principal, Mrs. Ciara Deane, who said: "These students have put in a lot of hard work throughout the year fundraising and are so deserving of this trip to the Big Apple!"

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

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.

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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 are the only school from Ireland involved in the project with educational establishments from Canada, Italy, Greece, Spain, Tanzania, Uganda, and Ecuador. 

As well as taking part in the summit, the students and staff have a busy itinerary which will see them visit the world-renowned United Nations building; travel around New York in the Loukoumi Good Deed Bus, calling in to St. Patrick’s Cathedral where they will take part in an interfaith prayer service; stop off at a homeless project; take in some sightseeing as well as a special visit to Broadway.

OFF TO AMERICA!. . . Mrs. Ciara Deane, Principal, St. Joseph's Boys School pictured with staff members Ciara McCallion and Melissa Grant and Year 13 students who will be heading to New York on Wednesday next for a six day visit to take part in the Loukoumi Foundation's Good Deed Summit. The students going are Tristan Doran, Jude White, Liam Collins, Harley Nixon, Kian Mitchell, Jordan Kelly and Callum Higgins. (Photos: Jim McCafferty Photography)

The next morning will be spent at the TedX Talk at the Eastchester School District Auditorium and the afternoon sees a visit to the Bronx for lunch and activities at Our Lady of Grace School including re-recording of Loukoumi’s theme song ‘Make Someone Smile’ originally written and recorded by Grammy award winner Gloria Gaynor. All-in-all, a busy and hectic, but worthwhile agenda for all involved from St. Joseph’s.

Principal, Mrs. Ciara Deane said the boys are looking forward to the six-day trip stateside but will also be working hard, learning and networking during their trip.

"It will be an experience for our Year 13 students, but we expect them to play their part in all activities during the trip. Our school was put forward for the awards two years ago by no other than His Eminence, Archbishop Eamon Martin, Primate of All-Ireland and this year, our students have been participating in various online activities with a host of other schools from around the world.

"As well as that, they have been organising fundraising activities throughout the year to fund the trip. We have also received funding from the Irish American Partnership to the tune of $10,000 which all goes to help cover the many costs. A massive thank you to Mary Sugrue from the Partnership whom I met at last year’s event and kept in contact with her."

Mrs. Deane said the opportunity to once again work with the Loukoumi Good Deeds Foundation has surpassed all her expectations.

"I continue to 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.

"Indeed, 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."

Teacher Miss Ciara McCallion, also travelling with the boys, and who has been involved in the project from its foundation with fellow teacher Mr. Paul Quigley, said she was proud to be returning to this year’s summit and believed all the students will gain from their experiences.

Finalising their itinerary for the visit to New York for the Loukoumi Foundation's Good Deed Summit are St. Joseph's Boys School Principal Ciara Deane, teacher Ciara McCallion and administrator Melissa Grant.

She also added: "The New York Summit is an amazing opportunity for our students to showcase the work they do at our school to a global audience. They will get to meet other students, share their stories and their ideas to continue to make a difference.

"Our students will share this experience with their peers upon their return to St. Joseph’s therefore inspiriing and motivating them to get involved in making a difference to our school and community."

The travelling party from St. Joseph’s will return early Monday, April 28.