Winners crowned at Newry, Mourne and Down Environmental Youth Speak

Pupils from 13 primary and secondary schools across the Newry, Mourne and Down Council district have taken part in this year's Environmental Youth Speak competition, with two overall winners from Camlough and Kilkeel crowned on the day.

The event, organised by the Council's Sustainability section, was compered by Council Chairperson, Councillor Philip Campbell, and drew competitors who had been pre-selected from more than 40 online video submissions received from schools across the area.

Among those competing in the Junior section were Luke Morgan from St Ronan's Primary School, Newry and Treasa McCoy from St Clare's Abbey Primary School, Newry, while the Senior section included Esther Richard from St Mary's High School, Newry and Emma Rae Brothers from Sacred Heart Grammar School, Newry.

Primary school pupils this year spoke on the topic "Where would we bee without pollinators", while secondary school pupils addressed "How the United Nations Sustainable Development goals are important to me."

After deliberation, the judges selected Charlotte Magee from St Malachy's Primary School, Camlough as Junior Champion, and Conor Rooney-Davis from St Louis Grammar School, Kilkeel as Senior Champion.

Councillor Campbell said it was a pleasure to listen to all the speeches, with pupils presenting with confidence and doing themselves and their respective schools proud.

"I have learnt so much from you all," said Cllr Campbell. "From the importance of pollinators for our ecosystem and the role bees play, to the relevance of the United Nations 17 sustainable development goals and how they provide us with a pathway to end poverty, protect the environment and ensure prosperity for all."

Cllr Campbell added: "Everybody who took part in the competition is a winner for making it this far. Huge congratulations to our overall winners in the Junior and Senior section, Charlotte and Conor."

Charlotte and Conor each received a trophy, a certificate and a £100 voucher. All other pupils who took part received a commemorative certificate and a £25 voucher.

The full list of Junior section competitors was Theo Macauley, All Children's Integrated Primary School, Newcastle; Darcy O'Hare, St Peter's Primary School, Cloughreagh, Bessbrook; Luke Morgan, St Ronan's Primary School, Newry; Hugh McGrillen, Holy Cross Primary School, Attical; Charlotte Magee, St Malachy's Primary School, Camlough; Treasa McCoy, St Clare's Abbey Primary School, Newry; Ava Mackin, Carrick Primary School, Burren and Cliona Mageean, St Patrick's Primary School, Legamaddy.

The Senior section competitors were Esther Richard, St Mary's High School, Newry; Conor Rooney-Davis, St Louis Grammar School, Kilkeel; Kayla Hanna, Kilkeel High School; Maella McCamphill, Assumption Grammar School, Ballynahinch and Emma Rae Brothers, Sacred Heart Grammar School, Newry.

The competition was judged by Newry, Mourne and Down District Council's Director of Sustainability, Mr Eamonn Keaveney, Assistant Director Conor Sage and Nichola Hughes, Director of Sustainability NI.