Two inspiring Carrick-on-Suir students are honoured with Garda Youth Awards

Pictured above: At the presentation of the Garda Youth Award to Sam McCollum were back row: Glenn Light, Comeragh College; Sam’s grandmother Fran Power; mother Susan McCollum, sister Roisin McCollum, grandad Mickey Power, Gda. Elaine Corkery, Juvenile Liaison Officer, Clonmel. Front: Lisa Kavanagh,Youth Sector Specialist; Sam McCollum, Garda Chief Supt. Aileen Magner, Garda Supt. Alan Cullen, Clonmel.

Two inspirational students attending Carrick-on-Suir’s Comeragh College were honoured with Tipperary Garda Youth Awards at a ceremony at the Garda College in Templemore.

Tipperary/Clare Garda Division Chief Supt. Aileen Magner and Youth Sector Specialist at the Department of Children, Equality Disability, Integration & Youth Lisa Kavanagh presented the awards to 6th Year student Hannah Bracken and Transition Year student Sam McCollum.

The Carrick-on-Suir students were among 14 young people who received Garda Youth Awards in recognition of their outstanding contribution and achievements within their communities at the ceremony on February 8.

Hannah and Sam both attend the school's Comeragh Suite for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) students and were nominated for the Garda Youth Awards by their teachers.

Comeragh College ASD Coordinator Glenn Light said Hannah received an Individual Garda Youth Award for the huge amount of work she has done in her local community through Foróige.

And he said Sam, a wheelchair user, earned a Special Achievement Garda Youth Award for the positive way he overcomes the physical and neurological difficulties he faces living with Caudal Regression Syndrome and autism.

Glenn said during the Covid pandemic Hannah made fabric facemasks and donated the proceeds from their sale to Foróige.

She was also involved in a postivity programme where she and other Foróige members displayed positive messages and quotes on a community noticeboard in Carrick.

And she worked on Carrick Foróige's X-Hale anti-smoking and anti-vaping project. The anti-smoking video the group made was showcased at a conference in Dublin and won an award.

Mr Light pointed out that Hannah’s contribution to her local community also earned her the Carrick-on-Suir Youth Ambassador title for 2023 and she went on to place third in the national final of that competition.

Mr Light said Sam was nominated for the award because he is a source of inspiration to everyone at Comeragh College for refusing to use his difficulties as a barrier to self-fulfilment both on a personal level and achieving in school.

“He teaches everybody around him how best to tackle life. He is articulate and positive and always cheerful. He wants to do everything despite the barriers he faces. He relishes being a part of the school community and he talks about his autism like it’s a super power.”

Comeragh College Principal Kevin Langton said everyone at the school was very proud of Hannah and Sam.

“We are delighted their achievements and accomplishments have been recognised through these awards. They are a great credit to their parents and the school and they are great role models.

“By their actions they are showing young people can achieve great things,” he added.

Pictured below: At the presentation of the Garda Youth Award to Sam McCollum were back row: Glenn Light, Comeragh College; Sam’s grandmother Fran Power; mother Susan McCollum, sister Roisin McCollum, grandad Mickey Power, Gda. Elaine Corkery, Juvenile Liaison Officer, Clonmel. Front: Lisa Kavanagh,Youth Sector Specialist; Sam McCollum, Garda Chief Supt. Aileen Magner, Garda Supt. Alan Cullen, Clonmel.