Kinsale's Ciara is honoured at World Congress

IT’S been an eventful month for award-winning Kinsale student Ciara Judge because, as well as being recognised as one of Ten Outstanding Young People (TOYP) in Quebec recently, she has also been named as an ambassador for the British Science Association and a VIP for their forthcoming nationwide science competition.

Ciara, who is studying genetics in UCC, was presented with her TOYP award at the Junior Chamber International (JCI) World Congress in Quebec. 

‘It was a huge honour to receive such a prestigious award, as past recipients include John F Kennedy, Henry Kissinger and also Cork’s very own Joanne O’Riordan,’ Ciara told The Southern Star. 

‘JCI World president Paschal Dike presented me with my award at the convention centre in Quebec, in front of over 2,000 people from all over the world,’ the Young Scientist winner said.

JCI is the world’s largest personal and leadership development organisation for young people and nominations for the TOYP awards were received from 35 countries. 

Ciara was nominated by Junior Chamber Ireland to compete internationally for the accolade due to her achievements as a young scientist and she made the Top 10 following a public vote and an assessment by a judging panel.

While Ciara was in Quebec, she also attended some JCI events and watched the Irish team win the JCI World Debating competition and she also took part in a TOYP workshop.

‘It was a huge honour to represent Kinsale, Cork and Ireland on a world stage and it topped off a great week, as just before I left for Canada, I was named as an ambassador for the British Science Association and a VIP judge, alongside Dr James Logan of Channel 4’s Embarassing Bodies for their forthcoming nationwide science competition,’ added Ciara, who is, of course, a former BT Young Scientist winner.