This article is from page 29 of the 2011-01-25 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 29 JPG
FORMER classmates of a “beloved” young Ennis student who died from cancer last year are aiming to pay tribute to her memory by raising awareness about the illness.
Sixteen-year-old Ciara Conroy passed away last May following a battle with cancer. A student at Coláiste Mhuire, Ennis, Ciara was also involved with Can Teen Ireland, a nationwide support group for young people who have or have had cancer, and for their family and friends.
Now many of Ciara’s friends and classmates are participating in a project aimed at raising awareness about cancer among young people.
A group of transition year students at Coláiste Mhuire are taking part in the Young Social Innovators (YSI) awards – a programme that aims to promote social awareness and activism among young people.
While one transition year class are basing their project around cancer awareness, all second and fourth year students will be involved in a fashion show to raise money for Can Teen in March.
Transition year student Mairead Cunnane explained, “The fashion show is in memory of Ciara Conroy, a beloved student who passed away from cancer last year”.
Teacher Margaret Harrold said students were eager to celebrate Ciara’s life. She said, “We’re raising awareness of teenage cancer and we’re also doing events in memory of Ciara. Ciara was very much involved with Can Teen. In our posters we will be mentioning that the money raised will be going towards Can Teen. It is the Transition Year 2 group that are involved in the young social innovators project but all of the transition year students are involved in organising the fashion show. The whole Coláiste community will be involved, teachers, students. There will be no outside models”.
Margaret added, “It’s because she was so young and style and fashion are important to young people. It’s a way of commemorating Ciara. It’s a celebration for the school, of Ciara’s life and who she was.”
Students will design some of the dresses but local stores have also donated dresses to be modeled also. The theme of the show is ‘Beautiful things we love and love to share’.
All second and fourth year students will model on the night while students from transition year will produce the show.
The show, which is being run in conjunction with the Martina Costelloe modeling agency, will take place on Thursday, March 3.