“Walk in my Wellies” campaign wins prestigious school mental health competition

Today, an announcement was made that five students from Royal School Cavan have emerged as victors in the 2020 Certified Irish Angus School’s Competition. This announcement was made during an awards ceremony held at Croke Park. The triumphant students, Rachel Alexander, Barry Stratford, Sophie Reilly, Lloyd Hastings, and Kelvin McNally, mark the first group from Cavan to engage in this esteemed calf-rearing contest, now celebrating its sixth year. Their project, which aimed to elevate mental health awareness within their local farming community, included organizing a ‘Walk in my Wellies’ event at their school to benefit Pieta House. The ceremony was graced by the presence of Irish Olympic hockey sensation Katie Mullan, who comes from a farming background and has deep connections to the agri-food sector. Katie shared insights into how her upbringing on a farm positively influenced her career and athletic accomplishments by fostering a robust work ethic. About the Competition: The Certified Irish Angus Beef Schools competition, a collaborative initiative by Certified Irish Angus, ABP, and Kepak, challenges participants to rear five Irish Angus calves for beef production. The competition's goal is to enhance the Certified Irish Angus Beef brand's profile while highlighting the meticulous care and effort required to produce high-quality beef for the market. Charles Smith, the General Manager of the Irish Angus Producer Group, praised the Royal School Cavan students for their exceptional teamwork, enthusiasm, and mature approach to overcoming challenges. Their dedication, knowledge, and focus on mental health within the farming community were key factors in their success. The Winning Project: The students' project aimed to underscore the significance of mental health among farmers by organizing a “Walk in my Wellies” day, with all proceeds supporting Pieta House. The event encouraged students to wear wellies to school, raising awareness for the cause. The project also examined the potential benefits of the Angus breed for Cavan's beef farmers, who typically engage in farming as a secondary occupation. The students acknowledged the need for greater mental health support within the local farming community. Runners Up: The second-place finishers were Amy Everard, Francesca McKenna, Saidhbh Gaffney-Bent, Ciara Smith, and Katie Tully from St. Joseph’s Mercy Secondary School in Navan, Co. Meath. Their project focused on the role of women in agriculture and included fundraising efforts for a former teacher recovering from an acquired brain injury. The judges commended these students for their ambition, curiosity, and ability to engage with policymakers. Outstanding Achievement by an Individual Award: An additional accolade was awarded to Keelan Gallagher from Roscommon Community College, recognizing his exceptional personal contribution to the competition. Gallagher was celebrated for his proactive attitude and perseverance. Next Steps: The competition's organizers are in the process of selecting five new schools from a pool of 35 that presented their project proposals at the Croke Park event. The selection panel comprises representatives from across the agri-food industry. The five schools that best demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the project and present innovative ideas will be announced in April and will receive their calves at the National Ploughing Championships in September 2020. For more information on the project, please visit www.angusproducergroup.com.