Photo was taken at the RDS, Dublin, (Irl)
A Cork student who has potentially discovered a cure for MRSA took home the main prize at the BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition (BTYSTE) at the BT in Dublin last Friday.
Simon Meehan, a 15-year-old student at Col√°iste Choilm, Ballincollig, Co.Cork scooped the main prize for his project which discovered the presence of chemicals within the blackberry plant which could form antibiotics to combat the MRSA infection.
Inspired by his herbalist grandfather, Simon said he couldn’t believe when he was announced as the winner.
“I felt almost like a puppet. The hands and feet were moving but you almost feel like it’s not you,” he said.
He thanked his fellow students and teacher Karina Lyne and principal Michelle Sliney.
Ms Sliney said it had been an “incredible” few days for the school she was delighted for Simon and described him as a “fabulous young man” who is extremely popular with his classmates.
She added she was proud of all 34 students who took part from the school in 15 separate projects.
The school has had success in the competition before, taking home the best school prize in 2013.
Thought on Monday – January – 15/01/2018
Thought For The Week
As we journey through this month of January we are keenly aware of new beginnings and a fresh start that comes with 2018. For some people this month of January can be a difficult one for lots of reasons. A lot of bills seem to have a habit of arriving at the same time this month. Our energy levels can also be low at this time of year which makes us more vulnerable to getting sick. It is no surprise that hospitals can’t cope with the numbers coming in during January.
‘Blue Monday’ is a day in January that has been described as the most depressing day of the year. It falls today Monday Jan 15th and is decided by factors such as the weather, debt level, the amount of time since Christmas, time since our new year’s resolutions failed, low motivational levels and the feeling of a need to take charge of the situation. Some mental health charities would say that the concept has no foundation in scientific research and that it can be very misleading. The key point is that those who live with depression, know that feeling down is not dictated by a certain date.
It is good to know that there are two sides to this story. Some people might think that they should be feeling down on Monday, when in fact they are doing just fine. It is good to also be aware that people struggle during this month of January including today Monday sometimes called ‘Blue Monday’. You too can make a difference. Why not turn ‘Blue Monday’ into ‘Reaching Out Monday’? Why not have a cuppa with someone today, catch up with someone you know who might be struggling, ring someone you haven’t contacted with a while or take time out to say a prayer for someone who needs a prayer at this time.
Clearly during the month of January we need to mind ourselves. It is not an easy month for everyone. It’s ok to feel not ok. You are not on your own. There is a beautiful uplifting spiritual line in St Paul’s letter to the Romans (15:13). It says: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” As you journey through this month of January I hope and pray that you also will feel this hope and that it will be your inspiration to keep taking those small steps through each day. By taking it one day at a time, by feeling and trusting in a God who loves us, we will have no fear whatsoever of a ‘Blue Monday’ or indeed any day that may be difficult or a challenge to us.
