Combining creativity and tradition at Lasallian Competition
Schools from across Ireland gathered in Castletown to celebrate the return of one of the most uplifting and enjoyable days on the District calendar.
The National Finals of the Lasallian Competition made a welcome return for the first time in three years as Lasallian students demonstrated their creativity and understanding of the Lasallian tradition.
Judging the quality of entries, the pandemic certainly hasn’t dampened the passion or talents as submissions included poetry, art, song, rap and video-making, as students came up with some novel ways to share the story of our Founder.
Luke Brennan, De La Salle Churchtown, receives his special commendation from Auxiliary Visitor Br. Tommy Walsh
The competition is organised by the MEL Committee of Ireland and over the past number of months Lasallian schools from across Ireland have been taking part with the theme of this year's competition being, One Life, One Man, One La Salle.
The National Finals in Castletown on March 14th gave schools the opportunity to showcase all that phenomenal work and also a chance to meet with fellow Lasallian students.
The students were welcomed by Derek Doherty of the Castletown Retreat Centre, and Br. Kevin McEvoy who began the day with a reflection that encouraged all to ‘open the eyes of their hearts’ using the song from Christopher Duffley.
The entries were then put on display for judges Br. Kevin McEvoy, Br. Martin Curran, Jo Millea (Director of Formation and Vocation Ministry) and Eunan Whyte (Communications Officer) to view the work and hear from the students.
After lunch, Anna Baird of the MEL Committee thanked all who had attended and taken part in the competition, and also commended the students on such a high standard. She then introduced Jo Millea to announce the winners.
After a lot of deliberation it was decided to award first place and the De La Salle Cup to the students from De La Salle College Waterford for their wonderful song ‘We are De La Salle’ which illustrates creativity and talent to celebrate our Founder.
The students, Fionn McGrath, Oisín Cooke, Darragh Bolger, Ed Whelan, Liam Steenson and George Lyons, celebrated their success with a rendition of the very catchy song.
Second place went to Calum Byrne, Lorcan McDonagh and Seán Hanlon from Beneavin De La Salle College who produced two excellent pieces of art. Click here to view the art
Third place went to Muyan Zhang from De La Salle College Churchtown, with a very imaginative poem that captured the essence of John Baptist de La Salle. Click here to read the poem
There were also special commendations for Luke Brennan (DLS Churchtown); Dylan O’Connell (DLS Macroom); John Praise Ogobamidele, Damilare Akinnuoye, Déaghlan McGovern Gregory and Charlie Blake (DLS Dundalk); Leo Bailey, Oscar Garcia Kilkenny and David Safo-Ankoma (St Gerald’s), Soren Doyle, Cohen Doyle, Fionn Tierney, Noah Roy, Zach Saunders and Malachi Walls (St Benildus).
