Environmental Youth Speak Competition

2024 Environmental Youth Speak Final

The Downshire Civic Centre was the venue in March 2024 for the conclusion of the popular and highly contested Environmental Youth Speak Competition when twelve talented pupils from local schools gathered for the Final to crown the Junior and Senior champions. The annual competition organised by the Council’s Sustainability team aims to encourage discussion on sustainability issues to empower the next generation to become environmental leaders.

Pupils from forty three schools had submitted their speeches online initially and the top eight primary school pupils and four secondary pupils were selected to perform their speeches in person at the final.

The judges were very impressed by how thought-provoking and informative the speeches were with each participant demonstrating a deep understanding of the importance of their topic. Primary school pupils spoke on the topic “I’m an Energy Detective and I’ve been busy investigating how to save Energy. Here’s what I found”, while Secondary schools were asked to speak on “How do we feed the world without destroying the planet”.  

After listening to all of the speeches the judging panel chose Josie Hughes from Grange Primary School, Kilkeel as the Junior champion and Lily-Ann O’Loughlin from Our lady’s Grammar School, Newry as the Senior champion.

Runners up in the junior section were Aaron Taylor from Drumlins Integrated Primary School, Ballynahinch and Natasha O’Connor from St Mary’s Primary School, Killyleagh. Runners up in the senior section were Akshara Sawant from Sacred Heart Gramar School, Newry and Catherine Ogle from St Joseph’s High School, Crossmaglen.

Highly commended were Ethan Miller from St Louis Grammar School, Kilkeel, Dáire McGrotty from Annsborough Integrated Primary School; Cara Trainor from Sacred Heart Primary School, Dundrum; Myla Chigariro from St Malachy’s Primary School, Castlewellan; Ellen Strain from St Malachy’s Primary School, Camlough and Lily Rose McAlinden from St Bronagh’s Primary School, Rostrevor.

All participants received a commemorative certificate, voucher, goodie bag and a bag of New Leaf compost for taking part. The Junior and Senior champions were also presented with an engraved trophy each to keep.

2025 Environmental Youth Speak Competition

We are delighted to confirm that we will once again be holding the competition in 2025. Schools must register their interest to take part by Friday 24 January 2025. Full details of how to register can be found in our Be Sustainable Newsletter, along with this year’s topics and all competition rules.