St. Joseph"s students at Young Social Innovators

Students from St. Joseph"s Secondary School are heading to the RDS, Dublin on Wednesday, May 6 for the Young Social Innovators Showcase 2009.Where they will be presenting two social action projects titled 'Start with the Man in the Mirror' and 'Disabled, be Enabled, Not Labelled'.They will be joining three other schools from Westmeath, including Moate Community College, St. Joseph"s Athlone and the Marist College, Athlone, who will presenting more issues ranging from poverty to sudden adult death syndrome.The four school projects from Westmeath are among 120 other projects selected for this annual exhibition from the hundreds undertaken by young people across the country.St. Joseph"s Rochfortbridge will also be in contention for the Young Social Innovators of the Year awards, which will be announced on the day with the overall project team receiving a grant to further their work.Last year Colaiste Muire from Ennis, County Clare won the overall title for a project on bullying.The showcase, which is the largest youth action event of its kind in the country, is open to the public and in addition to the exhibition includes workshops, a Speak Out youth theatre, poster gallery and 'speakers" corner' as well as a special 'YSI Den' where young people can pitch for support and resources to continue their chosen project.Participation in this year"s Young Social Innovators programme was the highest ever with a 16 per cent increase in the number of schools and educational centres taking part and a 22 per cent increase in the number of projects undertaken.Local Scout NewsThe 9th Westmeath Milltownpass Scout Group would like to thank all those who supported their Easter Fair on Easter Sunday morning last at the Parish Hall in Rochfortbridge.There was a great turn out on the day and those involved would like to thank all parents who baked tasty cakes and buns for the cake sale, and to those who donated books for the book stall and donated spot prizes for the raffle.Group Leader Loreto Flanagan would like to thank her Leaders who gave up their Easter Sunday morning to help out.The Group would also like to thank all those who supported their Church Gate Collection last month:'The Scouts really appreciate the help and support they receive within the community,' commented Loreto.As usual the Scout Group who cater for children in the Milltownpass/Rochfortbridge and surrounding areas have had a busy year so far and have great things planned for the coming months.Well done to the Scout Troop who had a very successful camp in Larch Hill last month; the Cub Pack who had an enjoyable day at the Zoo recently and the Beaver Colony who had a great afternoon at Lilliput for a Treasure Hunt and Teddy Bear"s Picnic.The Scouts recently held a Group Night where the Cub Pack entertained all with their "Good Scout Bad Scout" sketch, while the Scout Troop provided a BBQ for all.Loreto offered congratulations to the new adult leaders, Suzanne Davitt and Jane Slevin, who were invested on the night.Plans for the coming months include Summer Camps for both the Scouts and Cubs and a County Beaver Fund Day which Milltownpass are hosting in June - more details later.Tidy Towns newsThe Rochfortbridge Tidy Towns group will hold a committee meeting on Thursday, April 30 in the Parish Hall at 8 o"clock.Once again, all volunteers who would like to get involved with the Tidy Towns can contact Dave Raftis PRO on 086 2325817.The Tidy Towns committee are continuing their regular Tuesday evening clean-ups on the various estates around Rochfortbridge.A stream clean-up is also planned but a date has yet to be confirmed. Watch this space for further information.Charity Fashion ShowSt. Joseph"s Secondary School in Rochfortbridge are hosting a Charity Fashion Show in the Mullingar Park Hotel this Thursday, April 23 at 7.30pm.Tickets costing €15 are available from the school and all proceeds go towards the Children of Chernobyl, so make sure to show your support.