A talented young Derry school girl has won the top prize in a major environmental competition.
Anna Maxwell, a Year 8 student Thornhill College, won the North West heat and overall Northern Ireland regional heat in the Environmental Youth Speak Competition, securing a £500 prize for her school – the first time a school from the North West won the award.
Twelve-year-old Anna’s public speaking and dress made from recycled materials caught the eyes and ears of the judges to secure top spot in the senior section of the competition.
The topics for this year’s competition were -“If I was principal, this is how I would reduce waste in our school” and “How can our school become more sustainable?”
Anna Maxwell modelling the dress she made from recycled materials that caught the eyes the judges. Photo: Martin McKeown. Inpresspics.com.
Anna has been congratulated by Derry’s Deputy Mayor, Alderman Gary Middleton, who visited her school today to present her with her award.
Ald Middleton also paid tribute to her teacher, Maeve Connolly.
He added: “The Council fully supports environmental projects that encourage young people to recycle.
“Recycling is of huge importance to us all, and this competition highlights issues that are important to our young generation, giving them a platform to express their opinions and ideas on how recycling is beneficial and how we can do more.
“Anna has won £500 for her school, and raised awareness around the issues of waste, reusing and recycling and how more needs to be done to make schools and business more sustainable.”
The Environmental Youth Speak Competition has been running successfully for over 16 years and is organised by the three Northern Ireland Waste Management Groups.
The competition begins at Council level, progresses to regional and culminates in the crowning of two Northern Ireland champions.
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