Portlaoise College hosted its annual Evening of Excellence on Wednesday, an event dedicated to recognising the achievements of students across academics, extracurricular activities and community involvement.
The evening featured inspiring guest speakers, the presentation of a significant new scholarship, and moments of reflection on the values that guide the school community.
The special guest for the evening was broadcaster Katie Hannon, who shared thoughtful advice with students and families in attendance.
She echoed the sentiments of past pupil Illan Dunne, encouraging students to “always say yes” to opportunities.
In her address, Katie added a particularly important message for students, especially the girls in the audience to believe in themselves yourselves and not to be afraid to put themselves forward.
Another guest speaker on the night, past pupil Shelly Whelan, spoke of her time in the school and in particular the importance of the teacher-student relationship and the impact that had on her in her time at the school.
A highlight of the night was the presentation of the McAleese Ozanam Access Scholarship to sixth-year student Scott Duffy, who intends to study Physics at third level.
The scholarship, worth up to €4,000 annually for four years, was announced via a special recorded message from former President of Ireland, Mary McAleese.
Scott was also the recipient of Senior Awards in Chemistry and Music and was named Senior Traditional Musician of the Year earlier in the ceremony.
This scholarship is in addition to the fantastic two long-standing bursaries, sponsored by the Parents’ Council, which were awarded to Yeonjae Wee and Nathan Dewing. Glenda Lynch presented the bursaries on behalf of the Parents’ Council.
Principal Noel Daly commended the recipients and all students, saying, “his school, I would like to think, is not all about rules but about values. Why? Because as a school we value your effort and talent… Success is achieved by making small efforts—repeated day in and day out.”
He went on to affirm the importance of individuality, participation, and wellbeing, concluding, “Happiness is an inside job.”
The event began with Subject Awards, recognising excellence across both Junior and Senior cycles.
These awards celebrated not only academic performance, but also engagement, support for peers, and dedication to learning.
Junior recipients included Melody Jane Duncan (English and Irish), Aayush Bhatt (Mathematics), and Julia Gabrysiak (SPHE and Graphics).
Senior awardees included Kayla Daly (Art and Irish), Aaron Murphy (Agricultural Science and Business), and Yeonjae Wee (Physics). (Full list of winners below)
The Extra Curricular Awards showcased the school’s vibrant life beyond the classroom. Catherine Graham and Jessica Witek were recognised for their achievements in debating, while Julia Koper and Kate Sareen received the Junior Enterprise Award following their success at the Laois Enterprise competition.
Scott Duffy was once again acknowledged for his contributions to traditional music.
The Special Recognition Awards were presented to students achieving at a high level in sports and the arts outside of school.
These included Yifei Li for competitive swimming, Luke Ivers and Jeremiah Phillips for representing Ireland in volleyball, and Eimear Byrne, the first Portlaoise College student to play in and win an interprovincial football competition.
Language learning was also in the spotlight, with Gaeltacht and European Language Scholarships presented by LOETB Director of Schools, Linda Tynan.
The school extended its thanks to the LOETB for their ongoing support of language education, which continues to enrich students’ educational experience and cultural awareness.
The night also acknowledged the achievement of two of last year’s graduates who received academic entrance scholarships.
Mariya Petrushkova (Trinity College Dublin) and Pavan Polassary (University College Dublin) were recognised for achieving high Leaving Certificate points and securing entrance awards at their respective universities.
The evening closed with the Overall Awards, honouring students who made exceptional contributions during their time at Portlaoise College.
Divine Samuel received the award for Overall Contribution to Extra Curricular Activities, for her displays a numerous sports including volleyball, soccer and basketball.
The Leadership Award was shared by Amber Kelly and Katie Carlin. Amber and Katie have distinguished themselves during their time in the school and were prefects, Meitheal Leaders, members of the Gambia Project and Deja Brew to name a few.
The School Spirit Award went to Anna Murphy for her positive attitude to education and her school while a Prefect, Meitheal leader and founder member of Deja Brew.
The highest honour of the night, the Exceptional Student Award, was presented to Kayla Daly, recognised for her academic diligence, positive influence and embodiment of the school’s ethos.
Kayla has contributed massively to the school in the Student’s Council, as a prefect and head Girl as well as outstanding academic application.
Portlaoise College’s Evening of Excellence 2025 celebrated not just student accomplishments, but the values of participation, leadership and community.
It was a fitting end to the academic year and a strong reminder of the potential and promise within the school’s students.
In closing, Principal Noel Daly reminded students of the bigger picture: “Good education is a passport to a great future… Do not follow where the path will lead. Go where there is no path and create your own path for people to follow.”
List of all winners:
Subject Awards
Junior Cycle
English: Melody Jane Duncan
Irish: Melody Jane Duncan
Maths: Aayush Bhatt
Geography: Freya Stanley
History: Anastazja Zawacka
French: Aoibhinn Grundy
German: Sophia Bebcak
Polish: Teagan O’Brien-Reidy
SPHE: Julia Gabrysiak
CSPE: Lesia Titiunyk
Science: Emilia Oluoha
PE: Olivia Reynolds
Religion: Ana-Maria Cojocaru
Art, Craft and Design: Aoibhinn Grundy
Home Economics: Aisling Lambe
Business: Aisling Lambe
Engineering: Matthew Sarisky
Wood Technology: Martyna Brochocka
Graphics: Julia Gabrysiak
Music: Gabija Olechnaviciute
Senior Cycle
English: Ulla Purvlice
Irish: Kayla Daly
Maths: Nathan Dewing
Geography: Charlie Lynch
History: Shanessa Onafuwa
French: Daniel Reynolds
German: Julia Dabasi
Biology: Caoimhe Murphy
Physics: Yeonjae Wee
Chemistry: Scott Duffy
Ag Science: Aaron Murphy
PE: Conor McCausland & Jessie Murphy
Religion: Sam Bride
Art, Craft and Design: Kayla Daly
Home Economics: Anna Murphy
Business: Aaron Murphy
Engineering: Mikolaj Bielecki
Construction Studies: Alex Danne
Design & Communication Graphics: Mikolaj Bielecki
Music: Scott Duffy
Politics and Society: Ugne Kleinaiyte
LCVP: Snizhana Dik
Computer Science: Jonathan Murphy
Career Guidance: Andrea Ilic
Extra Curricular Awards
Humanities & Business
Poetry Aloud: Izzie O’Leary, Catherine Graham
Debating: Catherine Graham (Best Speaker), Jessica Witek (2nd Runner-up)
Public Speaking: Izzie O’Leary (Junior), Catherine Graham (Senior)
Laois Enterprise Junior Winners: Julia Koper, Kate Sareen
Junior Enterprise Award: Julia Koper, Kate Sareen
Senior Enterprise Award: Conor Keogh
Senior Traditional Musician: Scott Duffy
STEAM and Inclusion
Best Designed Robot (Lego League): Kacper Furutin, Rebecca Bride, Roisin O’Hearne, Jaime Dewing, Sophia Bebcak, Brendan Malone,
Women in STEM – STEM Passport:
Nada Alhariri
Natalia Benedikova
Lucy Carlin
Kamelija Cirule
Orlagh Creery
Eire Delaney
Niamh Donaghy
Bronwyn Farrell
Jaela Halberstadt
Abbie Maher
Jessica Maher
Ciara McComish Day
Aoife Morris
Sarah O’Reilly
Nicola Owczarek
Chloe Palco
Ellen Peacock
Molly Piekarska
Nikolina Rakanovic
Sophie Robertson
Jessica Sescu
Arneta Taralyte
Kyla Walsh
Jessica Witek
Wiktoria Wolanin
Sorcha Wright Twomey
Leadership & Student Voice
Student Council Member of the Year: Claudia Henderson
Green Schools Member of the Year: Aeon Caymo
Meitheal Leaders: James Buggy McDonald, Divine Samuel, Heather Homan, Aaron Murphy, Anna Murphy, and others
Prefects: Jeremiah Philips, Aoibheann O’Sullivan, Julia Skwara, Catherine Graham, and others
Head Prefects: Kayla Daly, Nathan Dewing, Yeonjae Wee
Community Involvement
Go Green Be Seen: Ryan Jackson, Joleen Dunne, Ethan Kennedy
#AndSheCycles Ambassadors: Celina Hurley, Emilia Oluoha, Kinga Sikorska, Aeon Caymo
Sports Awards
Soccer
Junior Boys: Jan Kruziewicz
Senior Boys: Akachi Ogbulafor
Junior Girls: Allanah Lawlor Kane
Senior Girls: Eimear Byrne
Camogie & Hurling
Junior Camogie: Sara Cully
Junior Hurler: Tyrone Okafor
Gaelic Football
Junior Boys: Tyrone Okafor
Senior Boys: Conor McCausland
Junior Girls: Taylor Dowling
Senior Girls: Ellen Peacock
Volleyball
Junior Girls: Olga Kozakiewicz
Senior Girls: Divine Samuel
Junior Boys: Tajus Subelko
Senior Boys: Luke Ivers
Basketball
Junior Girls: Vivien Fitzpatrick
Senior Girls: Dea Ducusin
Junior Boys: Sochima Onuorah
Senior Boys: Echezona Onuorah
Team Achievements
U-16 Volleyball All-Ireland Winners
U-16 All-Ireland MVP: Enzo Tetzner
U-19 ‘D’ Basketball Regional Final Winners
Special Recognition Awards
Swimming: Yifei Li
Volleyball (National Team): Luke Ivers, Jeremiah Phillips
Soccer: Eimear Byrne
Student of the Year Awards
1st Year: Weitong Zheng
2nd Year: Daria Eremia
3rd Year: Sean Cheah
5th Year: Jessica Witek
6th Year: Aaron Murphy
LCA 1: Giselle Banwell Bermeo
LCA 2: Claudia Henderson
Scholarships & Bursaries
McAleese Ozanam Access Scholarship: Scott Duffy
Parents’ Council Bursary: Yeonjae Wee, Nathan Dewing
Trinity Entrance Scholarship: Mariya Petrushkova
UCD Entrance Scholarship: Pavan Polassary
Gaeltacht Scholarships: Emilija Siugzdinyte, Aoibheann O’Sullivan, Jeremiah Phillips, Julia Skwara, Joleen Dunne, Mosa Hafeez
European Language Scholarships:
German: Isha Bhatt, Jaela Halberstadt
French: Adesuwa Olague, Fadzai Nyakuonda
Incoming 1st Year Scholarships: Mila Broomfield, Rafaels Zemvalds
Overall Awards
Overall Contribution to Extra Curricular: Divine Samuel
Leadership Award: Amber Kelly & Katie Carlin
School Spirit Award: Anna Murphy
Exceptional Student Award: Kayla Daly
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