Olympic honour for Ballee Community High pupils

Eight Year 12 students from Ballee Community High School, Ballymena, have been chosen to perform a Guard of Honour for the Swaziland team at the Opening Ceremony of the Olympics, to be held on July 27, while another student, Tyler McIntyre has the privilege of being one of the Torch Bearers to carry the Olympic Torch through Ballymena town centre on Thursday June 7.

One of four post primary schools in Northern Ireland to be chosen, the school is buzzing with enthusiasm and excitement for the up-coming event.

Getting into the spirit of things, the school is awash with blue, red and yellow – the colours of the Swaziland flag.

‘Theme’ days have also been planned where pupils will be able to sample some Swaziland traditional food from the Home Economics department, while young artists will be creating Swaziland mascots.

Julie-Ann Kyle, teacher at Ballee High School and main organiser of the event commented: “It’s a great honour for our school to be chosen to perform the duty of Guard of Honour at the opening ceremony of the Olympics”, she continued.

“We are in the process of organising funding-raising events to raise money for the trip and so far we have received sponsorship from Kirkwood Coaches, money from the sale of fire-side quizzes, and we are planning a sponsored walk.

“We are extremely thankful to everyone who has helped with sponsorship so far, and we would like to encourage the Ballymena community to get behind us and help support our young people for this once in a lifetime event,” she said.

The young Ballymena ladies who will perform the Guard of Honour are: Victoria Thompson, Shannon Asquith, Chelsea McClelland, Ellie Bailey, Chloe Young, Rachael Hanna, Chelsea McPeake and Lauren Hill.

Anyone seeking further information, or would like to donate money for the event can contact Julie Ann Kyle on 028 2564 9327.