Loreto students do themselves proud in Action Aid competition

Two students from Loreto Kilkenny were among the seven runners-up in Action Aid’s National Speech Writing Competition this year.

Emma de Bruin and Ella Brennan narrowly missed out on the top prize, after a lot of hard work.

The competition final was held in the Royal Irish Academy (RIA) this week. Nine finalists delivered their speeches in front of a panel of judges: Alan O’Neill, CEO, Men’s Development Network; Winifred Ikhine Akinyemi of Irish Aid; Elaine Prendeville, Editor, The Magazine at The Sunday Business Post; and Seona McLoughlin, Coordinator of the Irish Consortium of Gender Based Violence.

“This is my third year being involved in the ActionAid Speech Writing Competition and again I am truly impressed by the standard of speech writing and delivery of all the participants,” said Rodney Rice, ActionAid Ireland chairman.

“Emma and Ella both showed a very high degree of skill and analysis and very narrowly missed out on being announced winners.”

Over 100 students entered the competition, aged 14 to 17, from over 30 schools across the country. Emma and Ella narrowly missed out on the winning prize. Their speeches focused on women’s rights in development.