Cookstown school students impress at bank with business start-ups

Bright sparks from Cookstown High School and Holy Trinity College were laughing all the way to the bank last Wednesday, when they were awarded for their business start-up ideas.
By The Newsroom
Published 15th Mar 2017, 10:45 BST
Updated 24th Mar 2017, 11:07 BST
Young entrepreneurs from Cookstown High and Holy Trinity with teachers, principals and Rotary Club membersYoung entrepreneurs from Cookstown High and Holy Trinity with teachers, principals and Rotary Club members
Young entrepreneurs from Cookstown High and Holy Trinity with teachers, principals and Rotary Club members

The youngsters, all studying A-Levels at the two Cookstown schools, took part in The Cookstown Business & Enterprise event, organised by Roisin Monaghan through her involvement with Rotary, and sponsored by Bank of Ireland.

“Rotary engaged with students from two schools in a cross-community event to encourage, foster and mentor young people to consider starting their own businesses,” said Ms Monaghan.

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“Mid Ulster has a lot of talented and bright people, punching above our weight in terms of education standards, work ethic and aspiration.

Jack Scott , Callum Scott and Scott McCabe from Cookstown High School with teacher D Foster, principal Mr G Montgomery, Rotary president Colin Thompson, Bank of Ireland branch manager Eamon McGuckin and competition organiser Roisin MonaghanJack Scott , Callum Scott and Scott McCabe from Cookstown High School with teacher D Foster, principal Mr G Montgomery, Rotary president Colin Thompson, Bank of Ireland branch manager Eamon McGuckin and competition organiser Roisin Monaghan
Jack Scott , Callum Scott and Scott McCabe from Cookstown High School with teacher D Foster, principal Mr G Montgomery, Rotary president Colin Thompson, Bank of Ireland branch manager Eamon McGuckin and competition organiser Roisin Monaghan

“Bank of Ireland is keen to encourage and support, with a suite of tailored packages to help start-ups,” she added.

“I was really impressed with the ideas and commitment.

“We are delighted with the response by both schools and happy to support the next generation of start-ups,” added Branch Manager Eamon McGuckin.

As part of the competition the students underwent an intensive application and interview process, where they presented their ideas to a panel of local business people before being quizzed.

Competition winner Miguel Heatherington, Holy Trinity College with third place Dorian Dascalu, teacher Ann McKenny, principal Isobel Russell, Rotary President Colin Thompson, branch manager Eamon McGuckin and competition organiser Roisin MonaghanCompetition winner Miguel Heatherington, Holy Trinity College with third place Dorian Dascalu, teacher Ann McKenny, principal Isobel Russell, Rotary President Colin Thompson, branch manager Eamon McGuckin and competition organiser Roisin Monaghan
Competition winner Miguel Heatherington, Holy Trinity College with third place Dorian Dascalu, teacher Ann McKenny, principal Isobel Russell, Rotary President Colin Thompson, branch manager Eamon McGuckin and competition organiser Roisin Monaghan
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The candidates to impress most were HTC’s Miguel Heatherington - who took first place for his replica computer game weapons. Jack Scott from CHS came in a very close second with his mobile phone covers, while graphic designer Dorian Dascalu, HTC, placed third.

In joint fourth place, were EcoTech - Rhiannon Loughran, Serena O’Neill, Daniel Wojtek - from HTC and CHS ‘fish eye’ photographer Callum Scott.

Rotary Club president Colin Thompson said: “Rotary are delighted to be involved in this. Watch out for these guys because they are going to be the entrepreneurs of the future - they are going to be the employers of the future.”