Community-minded Kildare pupils awarded bursaries

Six students from Kildare were among the nine recipients of a Godolphin Bursary. Presentations of the bursaries were held recently at the Cape Cross Centre at Kildangan Stud in Monasterevin.

The local students were: Cormac Byrne (Patrician Secondary School, Newbridge), Kate Connolly (St Paul’s Secondary School, Monasterevin), Kate Jennings (Holy Family Secondary School, Newbridge), Fergal McKennedy (Scoil Mhuire Community School, Clane), Ava McKeown (Kildare Town Community School) and Ava Whiteley (Ardscoil Rath Iomgháin, Rathangan).

The Godolphin Bursary is offered annually to sixth year students who intend to continue full-time study at an institute of technology or university in Ireland, or at an equivalent institution overseas. Now in its tenth year, the bursary is offered to students at nominated schools based in localities in which Godolphin Ireland has stud farms.

Candidates for the bursary are assessed on evidence of engagement in school and community activities and on the focus and clarity of their submissions. The successful candidates receive a laptop computer along with €1,500 per year of third-level study up to a maximum of four years. In keeping with the ethos of the Godolphin Bursary, recipients are encouraged to volunteer with charities and community groups throughout their undergraduate studies.

Godolphin Ireland’s managing director Joe Osborne welcomed the bursary recipients, their families, school representatives, and current and former bursary recipients to the presentation. He acknowledged the contributions recipients had made to their local communities and noted that the way you spend your time is the best measure of your character. 

He also emphasised that recipients did not win, but rather earned the Godolphin bursary by demonstrating good citizenship – something they can be particularly proud of.