Young People Speak Out About the Environment

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council recently welcomed pupils from schools across the district in this year’s Environment Youth Speak competitions.

The annual event is an enjoyable public speaking competition designed to encourage debate on sustainability issues. Young people from both primary and secondary schools were invited to deliver an environmentally themed, five-minute speech to a panel of judges. This year the topics were ‘a day in the life of an eco-warrior’ for the junior section and ‘is plastic really that fantastic’ for the senior section.

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairman, Councillor Mark Murnin who hosted the primary school children and their families at the St Patrick’s Centre in Downpatrick said, “I am delighted to be here today and I am very impressed with everyone who took part in this year’s Environmental Youth Speak.

Protecting, preserving and enhancing our environment is something that the Council takes very seriously and it is gratifying to see young people get so involved. You all have put such tremendous effort into researching the issues and have expressed your views on the topics with great confidence.  You are a credit to your schools and families, who all should be very proud of you.”

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Deputy Chairperson, Councillor Oksana McMahon who hosted the senior event at the Council Offices in Newry said, “All our senior competitors today spoke with such confidence and knowledge on the important issue of plastic, explaining how we have become so dependent on it to the detriment of our environment. It’s been two wonderfully exciting and informative mornings and I want to congratulate all who took part. Well done everyone.”

After all the speeches were completed, the judges chose Anna-Rose Magee from St Malachy’s Primary School, Camlough as this year’s junior winner and Grace Nugent from Kilkeel High School as the senior winner.

Runners up in the junior section were Evie Cunningham, St Dallan’s Primary School, Warrenpoint; Ella Savage, Cloghogue Primary School, Newry and Ava Donnelly, St Macartan’s Primary School, Loughinisland. Runner up in the senior section was Molly Campbell from St Louis Grammar School, Kilkeel.

All participants received a certificate and goodie bag for taking part with the winners and runners up in each section receiving vouchers. Natural World Products kindly sponsored both events.