Prestigious scholarship awarded to Offaly school leaver

A recent school leaver from the Sacred Heart School in Tullamore, Anna Curry, has been awarded a prestigious Naughton Scholarship.

Having completed her Leaving Certificate in 2024, Anna has proven that hard work and commitment can lead to remarkable outcomes.

During her time at the Sacred Heart School, Anna was an exemplary student who excelled in her studies while actively participating in extracurricular activities.

“Anna is a true role model for our students,” said school principal Pauline McKenna.

The school said that as Anna takes this significant step toward her future, she serves as a beacon of inspiration for current and future students at the Sacred Heart.

Her success highlights the exceptional education and nurturing environment provided by the school, which continues to empower students to achieve their dreams.

Anna follows an illustrious line of Naughton scholars from the Sacred Heart. Last year Sharona Kelly was a Naughton recipient while Shauna Slattery was the Naughton recipient in 2022.

Prior to that Caoimhe Cullen and Lucy Prendiville were recipients. The Sacred Heart now has five Naughton scholars over a period of nine years and is particularly proud of its ladies achieving such standards of excellence in STEM. It is now one of the few schools in Ireland to have such an achievement.

The scholarship is worth €24,000 to each student over a four-year period but more importantly provides the successful recipient with a network of skilled professionals who meet with them regularly over that time, to assist, encourage and shape during their undergraduate years.

Naughton scholars meet once a year in such celebrated venues as Kylemore Abbey to share practice, learn skills that will be invaluable as they graduate and to provide a network of like-minded students.