Waterford student wins prestigious Young Lions award
Pictured is Lion's Club President William Cuddihy presenting Presentation Secondary School student Caoimhe O'Regan from Falthlegg with the Lion's Club Young Ambassador Award for 2024/2025. Included are Lion's Club Members Patsy Sheridan and Leann Morrissey and School Principal Sally Ronyane. Photo: John Power
The prestigious Young Lions Award has been presented to Waterford student Caoimhe O'Regan of Presentation Secondary School for volunteering to a number of key organisations across the city as well as running her own business called Caoimhe Bakes.
The award was given to Caoimhe by the Lion's Club President William Cuddihy with the Lion's Club Young Ambassador Award for 2024/2025. The President and Members congratulated Caoimhe on her achievement.
The Faithlegg native was joined in receiving the award by Lion's Club Members Patsy Sheridan and Leann Morrissey and School Principal Sally Ronyane. After receiving the county award, the Presentation student will go on to represent the club in the national Young Lions competition.
The Michael Collins Perpetual Trophy was also awarded to Caoimhe by the Mayor of Waterford City & County Cllr. Jason Murphy at The Tower Hotel. As Caoimhe was unable to attend, the trophy was presented to her Principal Sally Ronayne on her behalf.
In a statement to Waterford News & Star, Caoimhe said "I received the Lions Club Young Ambassador Award for the work I do within my community."
O'Regan, who is a member of the 31st Waterford Faithlegg Scout Group as a Venture, often helps with the younger sections of the scout group with the beavers (aged 6-8) and the cubs (aged 9-11).
"I also attend and staff weekend or overnight events within Waterford Scout County such as the Cub and Scout County Challenges, and events within the Southeast such as Spraoi Oige. Whilst completing my Gaisce Award and Chief Scout Award I worked with the Tidy Towns group in my community to design and maintain a 'tyre caterpillar' in my local park."
The impressive teen is also the chairperson of the student council at Presentation Secondary School and is currently a senior prefect and the vice president of the school's Young Saint Vincent De Paul Committee.
"I also spoke at the SETU Women in Technology Event in March 2024 for over 1,000 female students in second-level education. I spoke about my work experience in Red Hat, how I run my own business Caoimhe Bakes, as well as helping to encourage young girls to consider a career in the tech industry."
