Tipperary student Sean Doverman delighted with opportunity to serve as MEP for a day

Above: At the presentation to Clonmel High School student, Sean Doverman, following his success in the Rotary Youth Leadership Development regional final in Kilkenny, were, from left, Gerry Flynn, Clonmel Rotary; Jessica Rowe, teacher, Clonmel High School; Sean Doverman; Sian Moloughney, president, Rotary Club of Kilkenny; Michael Heverin, Clonmel Rotary; and Calodagh McCumiskey, Rotary Assistant District Governor. Picture: Vicky Comerford

Clonmel CBS High School student Sean Doverman won the opportunity to travel to Strasbourg to become an MEP for a day at the European Parliament.

Sean is one of twenty students who qualified for the prize in the Rotary Youth Leadership Development competition run by Rotary clubs across the island of Ireland, including Clonmel.

In Strasbourg he joined other students from across Europe for a hands-on experience in parliamentary democracy as part of the Euroscola programme.

Sean qualified for the exciting prize by first winning his school final, then the Clonmel final and finally the regional final held in Kilkenny, where he was up against students from the host club, Kilkenny, as well as Wexford and Wicklow.

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Rotary Club of Clonmel president, Richie Molloy, congratulated Sean on his outstanding achievement, and wished him well on his trip to Strasbourg.

“Sean excelled in all the various stages of the competition and I know that he will do his family, his school and Clonmel Rotary proud when representing us in Europe.
“We look forward to hearing of his experiences when he returns,” Mr Molloy said.

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He also thanked the teachers in the various schools who had helped to facilitate the competition.

Prior to the trip, Sean and the other students travelling were informed of the various topics which they will debate at the European Parliament and worked among themselves on the presentations to be made.

Meeting students from other European countries was also be an important part of the trip.

Rotary Ireland has been organising this event for over 25 years and has seen first-hand the opportunities and benefits it gives to the young leaders of today and tomorrow.

It is an opportunity to enhance their personal development and improve their communication and team-building skills.
Students learn life skills, as well as gaining confidence in public speaking and debate. Every year great friendships are formed that last for years.

The judges for the regional final in Kilkenny were eleven times All-Ireland winning Kilkenny hurling manager, Brian Cody; retired Irish ambassador Dympna Hayes; and the manager of Kilkenny Volunteer Centre, Salena Grace.

At the announcement of the student to go through to the Strasbourg trip, Mr Cody said the judging panel was hugely impressed by the calibre of all the students and he had no doubt that the future of the country was in safe hands.

Rotary Club of Kilkenny president, Sian Moloughney, thanked everyone who had made the project such a great success, local Rotary club members, teachers in the various schools who took part and the judges.

Sean was accompanied to Kilkenny by his teacher, Jessica Rowe, and by Clonmel Rotary Club members Gerry Flynn and Michael Heverin.