WHEN the latest round of JP McManus scholarships was allocated to eight students from Sexton Street CBS at the Dunraven Arms Hotel in Adare last Friday November 15, it brought the total amount awarded by the Limerick businessman and former pupil to almost €2.5million since the Sexton Street scholarship scheme was established in 1997.
To date, 137 students have received scholarships from the scheme, which costs around €185,000 a year and is in addition to the All-Ireland scholarship scheme which is also financed by the JP McManus Foundation.
A total of 97 have graduated with third level qualifications and this year’s winners, presented with their scholarships by Sue Ann McManus, where Ross Conway, Bryan Collopy, Aaron Griffin, Roy Hartigan, Sam Mullins, John O’Dea, Killian Woods and Alex Naughton.
Commenting on the awards, JP McManus said it was wonderful to see yet another group of students working so incredibly hard to achieve such high standards in their education.
Sexton Street CBS principal Tom Prendergast said that the scholarships would allow the students concentrate on their studies without having to take part-time employment and would remove a lot of financial stress from their families.
Guest of honor at the ceremony was former student Sean Burke, who is the recently appointed CEO of the Limerick and Clare Education Board, and other speakers included City Mayor Kathleen Leddin and County Council Cathaoirleach, John Sheehan.