Students from Longwood and Trim do the business

Meath County Enterprise Board hosted the Meath final of the Student Enterprise Awards in Navan Town Centre last Thursday. The competition is sponsored nationally by the County and City Enterprise Boards and, to take part, students had to set up their own business, either manufacturing or service, had to make it work and make a profit. Some 60 enterprising students representing 16 different businesses from 10 of the county's second-level schools took part in the Enterprise Board-sponsored Meath round. Top prizes on the night went to students from schools in Trim and Longwood. Students had to set up a display, prepare a business report and were adjudicated under headings such as innovation, market research, business performance and personal development. The first place winners now go forward to represent the Royal County at the national final in the Croke Park convention centre on Thursday 14th April. Hugh Reilly, CEO of the Meath County Enterprise Board, presented special certificates of participation to all student entrepreneurs on the evening and also presented trophies and cash prizes, sponsored by the board, to each of the winners. In the junior category, first prize went to Ciara Ford and Amy Flynn from St Fintina's Post-Primary School, Longwood, for their business 'Tic Toc Ltd', which produced 100 per cent handmade beaded bracelets and watches. Second place went to Ruth Scannel and Alison Jones from St Peter's College, Dunboyne, for thier business 'Tailored Towels', which produced embroidered facecloths, towels, bibs and Santa stockings. Third prize went to Anna Maxwell and Ciara Lawless from St Oliver Post-Primary in Oldcastle for their business 'Yummy Cakes', where they produced delicious cakes and treats. In the intermediate category, first prize went to Dylan Keating and Dillon Pender from St Fintina's, Longwood, for their business 'Bill Busters Ltd', which manufactured high-quality handmade bill-holders. Carla Bacaoanu, Katie Carroll, Nicola McNally, Caroline Keaveney and Dearbhla Rice from Ashbourne Community School were awarded second prize for their business 'Sweet Delights', which sold juicy jellies in the school. In the senior category, first prize was awarded to Conor McKenna, Tony O'Donnell, William Corrigan, Alan Heavey, Daniel Brady and Chris O'Gara from Boyne Community School, Trim, for their business, 'Games 4 U'. This business was based on designing extra content for video games, in particular the Sims 3. Second prize went also went to Boyne Community School and to students Craig Brady, James McDonnell, Edward White and Stephen Calter for their gaming website, 'Gaming Eire'. Dunshaughlin Community College student Shane O'Brien came in third place with his business, 'Wired Up'. Shane provides an extremely valuable service to the people of Dunshaughlin and surrounds - he fixes PCs and laptops and also installs free-to-air satellite television. There were also two special prizes awarded on the day. The Innovation Prize was awarded to Aine Murray, Aisling Heavey, Fiona Brady and Meena Khatri, St Peter's College, Dunboyne, who came up with the idea of producing a cookbook for children aged 8-12, with seven rhyming recipes. Ricky the Rhyming Chef gave the children helpful tips throughout the book. Matching aprons with the 'Ricky' logo were also available for sale. The Best Display prize went to 'The Master Chocolatiers', Laura Browne, Emma Briody, Michelle McAuley, Hanna Monaghan and Sophie Flanagan from St Oliver Post-Primary, Oldcastle.