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David Hurley, 15 Jul
A STUDENT from Mary Immaculate College has been awarded a
Gold Gaisce medal by President Michael D Higgins at a special event at
Ăras an UachtarĂĄin.
Sarah Ryan-Purcell, a second year Bachelor of Education in Education &
Psychology student, was one of 79 people from across Ireland to be
presented with the prestigious award by the President in recognition of
their commitment to volunteering and personal development.
To achieve the award, Sarah, who is from orginally from Blackrock in
Cork, completed 52 weeks of piano, 52 weeks of the role of cantor in
her local church, 78 weeks of tennis, a four-day hike along the
Ballyhoura Way and a summer internship at the University of California
Santa Cruz, where she participated in research in child psychology.
She had previously been awarded the Gaisce Bronze Award during her
Transition Year at Scoil Mhuire in Cork and jumped straight to Gold
medal, which meant completing an additional 26 hours of a challenge
area â in Sarahâs case, tennis â in lieu of completing her Silver
award.
[Grainne_Ni_Dhuinnin_GOLD-266-1657296985877.jpg--young_limerick_woman_h
onoured_by_president_with_gold_gaisce_award.jpg?1657296987000]
Young Limerick woman honoured by President with Gold Gaisce Award
Reflecting on her time completing the award, Sarah said: âIt was a
life-changing experience, affording innumerable opportunities for
personal development. I would encourage all young adults to give it a
go! The Gaisce programme, which encompasses physical recreation,
community involvement, development of a personal skill, and the
residential project and adventure challenge, promotes active
citizenship and healthy lifestyles. By partaking in the programme, in
the words of Brendan Kennelly, we are âcreating ourselvesâ.â
Sarah has just completed her second year of study on the B Ed in
Education and Psychology, a four year, Level 8 degree which prepares
graduates to be primary teachers and obtain a degree in Psychology.
Although her college journey began virtually due to COVID, Sarah
embraced the challenges and immersed herself in college life.
She was elected Class Rep for her cohort, joined the student radio
station Wired FM and took up the Presidency of the MIC Tennis Club.
Most recently, Sarah was elected as the Mary Immaculate Studentsâ Union
(MISU) Irish Language Officer for the upcoming academic year.