Talented Tullamore student wins Rotary Youth Leadership competition

A SECONDARY school student from Tullamore, Angelina Sewell was one of just 20 teenagers from all over the island of Ireland to be presented with a Rotary Youth Leadership Development certificate at Europe House in Dublin recently.

The competition, which Rotary Ireland has been running for over 30 years, rewards young people with clear leadership potential based on their extra-curricular activities. Run in conjunction with the European Parliament Liaison Office in Dublin, the winners enjoy an all-expenses paid week-long trip to Belfast, Dublin and Strasbourg.

Angelina, who is a fifth-year student at Sacred Heart School Tullamore, received her certificate from Rotary Ireland District Governor, Michael Fleming, and Fearghas Ó Béara, Head of the European Parliament Liaison Office in Ireland.

The itinerary for the students’ trip included visits to Belfast, Dublin, and Strasbourg.

This year The Rotary YL Winners’ Trip differed to other years with everybody meeting on the Monday for registration, welcome and lunch at the Stormont Hotel Belfast. An excellent session was had with parents and family joining before it was time for goodbyes. The group then moved on to Stormont Buildings where Rotary had organised a Tour. The students met several politicians and also listened in on some debates from the visitors’ gallery.

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On Tuesday, at the ‘Europa Experience’ visitor centre in Chatham Street, Dublin, they immersed themselves in all things EU related including a 360-degree cinema presentation. The students heard some very interesting presentations on the EU and particularly the European Parliament’s role and powers, as well as about traineeships which are available with the EU institutions.

After being presented with their leadership certificates, the students embarked on tours of the Seanad and Dail where they met several Ministers, TDs and senators.

Early the next morning they flew out to Strasbourg where they visited the famous Notre Dame Cathedral and enjoyed a private tour of the European Court of Human Rights.

On the penultimate day of their stay, they went to the European Parliament where they and students from all over Europe were welcomed by Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament. The highlight for the students was taking part in Euroscola, a simulation of the work of Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) in a debate and vote on the EU’s actions to tackle disinformation.

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Angelina is a Climate Ambassador with An Taisce who works with a team in the school on green initiatives like bottle returns, battery recycling and the GIY school garden. She is also an Action Panel member with Spunout, a not-for-profit organisation which works collaboratively with the youth of Ireland to tackle mental health issues.

As well as being a Dance Captain for the school musical, Angelina is on the art club and exhibition committee which organises art events and exhibitions in the school community.

She entered Rotary’s Youth Leadership Development competition in order to develop her leadership and communication skills and to learn how to work collaboratively with other young people.

She said she had learnt valuable interviewing skills – especially how to respond to questions calmly and accurately – as well as learning about a range of topical issues such as protecting the environment, mental health initiatives and social integration for immigrants to the country.

“I think the highlight of the week for me was the European Parliament visit and the Euroscola event. That included learning how the European Parliament functions, acting as an MEP and getting to speak in the hemicycle on topical issues.”

For Angelina, the biggest issue facing students is how to manage AI. “The younger generation is consistently surrounded by AI, whether it’s used for school, daily life, or in social media—we need to know how to use it responsibly so as not to be affected by deepfakes, mis/disinformation, plagiarism, and other unethical usages of AI.”

She said she would absolutely recommend the competition to young people in Offaly.

“You learn so much about politics and how our country and the EU is run. The trip isn’t just about the Euroscola event—it is about Irish politics and how we are affected by the EU as well. You will also make friends for life.”

“If you’re worried, or underestimating yourself, don’t—why wouldn’t you deserve to go? It’s not your job to worry about why you would be chosen or if you would be good enough, it’s your job to do your best and let the judges decide. Go for it!”

Michael Fleming, District Governor of Rotary Ireland praised the students’ enthusiasm and willingness to engage with the programme.

“I have to compliment Angelina and all of this year’s winners on three counts. Firstly, for the wide range of sporting, artistic and community-based activities they are involved in. Secondly for the level of knowledge, they displayed on a wide range of topics, including European affairs. And thirdly for the extremely high standard of their contributions throughout the week of this trip.”

“Angelina and the other students are a credit to themselves, their families, their schools and their communities. It was wonderful to watch this group work and socialise together, and we hope the bonds they formed this week will endure for a long time to come.”

“I would like to thank all the teachers and Rotarians who helped us along the way to plan and organise this trip and I would urge as many young people as possible from every part of the island to take part in next year’s competition” Mr Fleming concluded.

Fearghas Ó Béara Head of the European Parliament Liaison Office in Ireland said; "I was delighted to welcome this talented group of young leaders from across the island of Ireland to Europe House in Dublin before they set off on their journey to our Euroscola event at the European Parliament in Strasbourg. These students really made the most of their visit to our interactive 'Europa Experience' visitor centre, delving into the wealth of materials on the European Union and striking up lively discussions between themselves, and with our guides, about EU policies and actions.”

“Their level of engagement and enthusiasm is impressive, and I really enjoyed my own exchange with them about Europe as a project of peace and reconciliation, and Ireland's place in it, especially given the many current geo-political challenges to our freedoms and democracy. I was impressed by how eloquently they expressed their views, and the relevance of their questions.”

“The European Parliament Liaison Office in Ireland is delighted to continue our partnership with Rotary Ireland and offer a prize for their Young Leaders competition of a sponsored visit to Strasbourg. I feel confident that our future is in safe hands with such socially engaged and politically curious young people like these winners."

The Rotary Youth Leadership Development Competition is open to 16 and 17-year-olds who are living on the island of Ireland. For more information go to www.rotary.ie