Mercy Mounthawk has a strong tradition in public speaking and debating. We participate in The Mental Health, Concern and the National Forum on Europe competitions

Sarah O'Carroll, Emily Brick and Caoimhe Casey in Strasbourg, after winning the All-Ireland Fourm on Europe competition in 2006

MERCY MOUNTHAWK REACH THE QUARTER FINALS OF THE ALL-IRELAND CONCERN DEBATING COMPETITION 2009

Congratulations to Rosie O'Dowd, John O'Donnell, Patrick Fitgerald and Conor Cleary for reaching the Concern All-Ireland Debating Quarter Finals. Having come through six though rounds, the team now face Gort Community College for a much coveted place in the semi Finals. Proposing the motion that the UN is a white elephant, the team will face Gort on Thursday, 26th of March in Limerick.

NATIONAL FORUM ON EUROPE PUBLIC SPEAKING COMPETITION 2008-09

Congratulations to Ciara Browne, Celine Kissane and John Prendergast for winning the Kerry round of the National forum on Europe public speaking competition. The team went on to the Munster final in cork and were narrowly defeated.

HAYLEY MOORE WINS ALL-IRELAND LIONS CLUB PUBLIC SPEAKING COMPETITION 2008

Hayley Moore Wins All-Ireland Lions Club Young Ambassador Award

Hayley Moore, a fifth year student in Mercy Mounthawk Tralee, from Kilfenora, Fenit won the prestigious All Ireland title of Lions Club Young Ambassador of the 21st Century Award last week in Dublin. Hayley had previously competed in the Tralee and Munster heats and was successful in both. She now goes on to represent the 122 Lions Clubs of Ireland in the Ireland and Great Britain Final in Birmingham in February.

As part of her prize Hayley receives £500 towards a community project of her choice, a week in Youth Camp in Maynooth in the summer, a trophy and a piece of crystal. Hayley will also be a guest speaker at the Annual Lions Club Convention in March in Cork.

These awards are to promote youth leadership in the community and to enhance leadership qualities in young people. Hayley was nominated by Mercy Mounthawk and her teacher Cora Mc Elligott and Tralee Lions Club and their representative Mark Bennett.

MERCY MOUNTHAWK REACH THE QUARTER FINALS OF THE ALL-IRELAND CONCERN DEBATING COMPETITION 2008

THE SCHOOL DEBATING TEAM

Congratulations to Hayley Moore, Nicola Moore, Rosie O'Dowd and John O'Donnel for reaching the quarter final of the Concern Debating Competition. Having reached the last eight in a competition entered by 158 schools is no mean feat. The students were narrowly defeated by defending champions, Athlone College, who went on to win the competition outright.

NATIONAL FORUM ON EUROPE PUBLIC SPEAKING COMPETITION 2008

Congratulations to Rosie O'Dowd, Yana Makislova and Patrick Flanagan on winning the Kerry Heat of the National forum on Europe Public Speaking Competition. With Strong opposition from four other opposing teams, Rosie and Yana convinced the judges that the Euro and Free Trade is essential to Irelands prosperity. Patrick Stunned the Judges by casting a critical eye over the failure of the European parliament to secure the freedom of services for people with Disabilities. in a packed Kerry County Council chambers they our team proved to be the most coherent and strongest in their views. The team will go on to represent Kerry in the Munster Finals in early 2008.

MENTAL HEALTH PUBLIC SPEAKING PROJECT 2007

The Menatal Health public speaking team of 2007

Mercy Mounthawk had a very strong team for this years Mental Health Ireland Public Speaking Project. The team consisted of Anthony Bailly, Stephen Sharpe, Elsie Ronan and Triona Brick. A lot of hard work went into researching, writing and practicing their speeches. They were successful in the preliminary round and moved into the Kerry County Final where they met Kenmare. The title for the night was 'True education requires a holistic approach with particular emphasis on the relationship between mental and physical well being'. Again, success! Dan O' Connor from Mental Health Ireland praised their confidence and awareness of mental health issues.

The team participated in the Mid-Western Regional Final in February. The title this time was 'The greatness of a society can be measured by its treatment of the vulnerable'. Despite a great performance, victory eluded the team on the night. It was, however, a great achievement to get as far as they did as the Mental Health Public Speaking Project is a very prestigious competition. Thanks to their tutors Ms. Carey and Ms. McElligott.