Killina Presentation Secondary School wins Offaly Student Enterprise Awards with Bootband

Students and teachers from all over Offaly gathered in the Tullamore Court Hotel yesterday for the announcement of the winners of the Offaly Student Enterprise Awards.
The overall winner of the Senior Category was a project called ‘Bootband’ from Killina Presentation Secondary School, Rahan. The students have developed a band for football boots to prevent laces untying. It was clear from speaking with the students that they put an enormous amount of time and effort into the business. They particularly invested a lot of time and money into the research and development of the business and have a unique product which is being sold into retailers nationwide.
The runner-up was ‘The Cúntoir’ from Banagher College, Colaiste na Sionna, a business owned by Eamon Corcoran. He has developed and produced an innovative product for lifting, handling & transporting coal & Briquettes. Eamon was a previous winner at Junior level in 2011. He went on to win the Innovation award at the Student Enterprise National Finals that year.
The Junior category winner ‘Jeddy Friends’ hailed from St Brendan’s Community School, Birr, who make Keepsake Teddies. These cuddly toys are unique as they are made from the child’s favourite blanket, jumper, cardigan etc. The runner-up was ‘Funky Folders’ from Gallen Community School who make recycled personalised folders.
This year a total of 25 businesses from seven schools and with 85 students reached the County Final.  

See next week’s Offaly Independent for more details and photos from the event.