The auditorium in DCU was packed to the rafters at the Challenger 2023 Graduation ceremony. Students and their parents filled the seats to celebrate their achievements during the year on the programme which supports them to achieve academic excellence and to continue onto third level education.
Student speakers gave the audience an insight into the programme, describing
After 2 years of online grinds and Zoom graduations, participants in the Challenger programme were finally able to come together in person to celebrate their achievements. The Nursing Building in DCU was the venue to host over 100 participants and their families to hear presentations on the programme and witness the awards.
The evening began with an address from Nessan Vaughan, Chairman of the Northside Partnership Board in which he spoke passionately about the benefits of education.
The Dr. Lorcán Ó hÓbáin Educational Excellence Award was presented to Chloe Kennedy, a Coolock native and graduate of Northside Partnership’s Challenger programme, by the late Dr. Ó hÓbáin’s wife, Anne Morris, at the Challenger Graduation on 21st June. Chloe is a 1st year student in Maynooth College studying Irish & Law and was a Challenger student from 2014-2020.
“Challenger was an integral part of my secondary level education and without it I don’t believe I would be where I am now.
Minister Joe O’Brien today (21st October 2020) launched The Challenger Resource Manual, a framework which details the approach that is needed to promote success in education for young people in Darndale and the surrounding area.
Just 6% of people in some of the areas where the Challenger Programme is delivered progress to third level education, a stark contrast to the 61% progression in nearby Drumcondra (2016 Census).
This is the environment in which Northside Partnership created The Challenger Programme.
Donie Tarrant of Near FM called it one of Northside Partnership’s most important programmes. Listen here to Jeannette Beirnes telling him about Challenger: Near FM Challenger