Mayo schools celebrate Someone Like Me art success
PUPILS and teachers at Logboy National School and Kilmurry National School, Crossmolina, were named junior and senior county winners respectively of the prestigious national art competition, Someone Like Me.
The achievement secures them a place at the national awards ceremony to be held in Dublin in late January, where they will join pupils and teachers from 50 other schools to compete for the much sought-after national senior and junior titles.
An initiative of the National Disability Authority, this year marks the 10th anniversary of the competition which has seen thousands of primary and special school pupils across Ireland develop an awareness and understanding of visible and non-visible disabilities through the medium of art as part of the ongoing process to create a more accepting and inclusive society.
Junior winners from Logboy NS, with teacher Ms. Connell, were 1st and 2nd class pupils Abbie, Beau, Cody, Rian, Thiago and Tiarnan. Their project was 'Don’t be clueless - let's solve it together' Someone Like Me crossword puzzle.
Senior winners from Kilmurry NS, with teacher Catherine Canny, comprised 5th and 6th class and their project featured art work and accompanying poem based on Shooting Stars and twinkling constellations. Their pupils, like shooting stars, can illuminate the darkness with their trail of light.
Congratulating Logboy National School and Kilmurry National School on being named county winners, director of the National Disability Authority, Dr. Aideen Hartney, said that the number of entries this year is a tribute to the ongoing commitment of Ireland’s primary and special school teachers, who continue to play an important part helping to create an ever-more inclusive Ireland.
“Over the last ten years, the Someone Like Me art competition has created a national conversation about visible and non-visible disabilities, helping to raise awareness and, ultimately, effect positive attitudinal change within society.
“Because of this, the competition is an important part of the work of the National Disability Authority and has become a highlight in our calendar. It gives us the opportunity to meaningfully and creatively engage with primary and special school pupils and teachers alike in a way that will benefit society not just now, but for generations to come.”
Logboy NS and Kilmurry NS will now compete with 50 other schools from around the country for the overall Someone Like Me junior and senior awards which will be announced at the national awards ceremony to held at Dublin City Hall on January 28.
The competition, which offers a range of prizes to the value of over €1,000, was open to all primary and special school pupils from junior infants to sixth class and more. Entries ranged from posters and collages to large sculptural installations and videos.