Youghal Credit Union, like all other Credit Unions, are a very important part of a community.  Apart from the banking and financial facilities which are available to customers, Youghal Credit Union each year sponsors a 3rd Level Sponsorship Award which this year, 2009, was won by Shauna Walsh, daughter of Eamonn and Maria Walsh, 17, Woodview Court. and student at Pobalscoil na Tríonóide, Youghal. Report Denise FitzGerald/ Photo Michael Hussey www.youghalonline.com

The Scholarship is open to all students who are pursuing a third level course, and who are also members of Youghal Credit Union since April 1st of that year. Entry forms are available in all Credit Union Offices. The closing date each year is the end of April, by which time students must have submitted their entry forms and a short essay on why they believe they should be worthy winners of the Scheme.  The winner each year is chosen by open draw.

The Scholarship itself is worth €1,300 each year, up to a maximum of four years and is usually paid in two instalments, e.g. October and January.  Payment to the student is dependant on the student maintaining satisfactory progress.

The official presentation was made to Shauna at The Youghal Credit Union premises in Grattan St, Youghal.  When asked about why she entered, Shauna said that the school encouraged all eligible students to fill in the entry forms as it is a super way of contributing to the ever rising expenses of third level education.  Shauna said she wrote a piece, not more than 200 words, on why she would like to win the Scholarship, and submitted  it with her entry form and Curriculum Vitae.  She “couldn’t believe it when she received a telephone from Frank Delaney, P & D Committee, Youghal Credit Union, saying she was the lucky recipient of the 2009 Scholarship.”  When asked as to her choice of course, which is Government, Shauna said she was passionate about politics, loved reading about the current situation in most countries, and enjoyed working with people..  At this young age, she said her ambitions would be to work in any Government oriented position and she would like, in time, to get involved in politics firstly on a local level, moving on to national politics  and then,  perhaps, Shauna may just become Youghal’s first ever Taoiseach!  Shauna is the 9th winner of this Award and, the number 9 being a particularly lucky number, who knows how far she will go.

Other recipients of the Award Scheme, which has been in operation since 2001, are Liam Kelly (2006) Jessica Power (2007) and Tara Gibbons (2008).