TRANISTION TIMES:Transition year is the ideal time to take on the Gaisce President's Award challenge. Students explain why

'WHAT PEOPLE SAY isn't going to stop me. I have to do things for myself." No, these aren't the words of a self-help guru or famous political leader, but one Kate Moss. And like her or loathe her, she has achieved quite a lot on her own. From a modest background, she now enjoys considerable wealth and fame as a model.

But money and fame are not everyone's idea of success. Most achievement is rarely recognised. This is why the Gaisce President's Award is so important. The award is an opportunity for young people to challenge themselves in four different fields - skill, physical, community and adventure - in order to achieve recognition on completion of all tasks in one of three categories: bronze, silver or gold. Most start with bronze and move up from there.

Now here's the catch. You are only competing with yourself. Each category requires participants to perform a certain number of hours learning a new skill (such as how to play the piano) or doing something physical (like going to the gym) and it is up to the participant to make sure they are carried out.

"You have to be determined and stick at it," advises bronze award holder Hillary Ennis of Coláiste Bride in Enniscorthy.

Now in fifth year, Hillary has moved from the bronze category to silver.

"Sometimes you leave it slide one week but you have to make sure you make up the hours the following week. It's your word. If you say you did all the hours when you didn't, you'll still get the award but you won't have achieved anything," she says.

The Gaisce President's Award takes up quite a bit of time. In the bronze category, for example, participants are required to learn a new skill for 26 weeks, do community work for 15 weeks, take part in physical recreation for 12 weeks and take part in a venture involving an overnight trip. The level of activity makes it a popular choice for TY students with time on their hands.

MANY SCHOOLS in Ireland have a long-standing relationship with Gaisce, with several TY students taking part in the award every year. In St Dominic's Cabra, for example, there are 42 students from TY going for the bronze award this year.

"We usually start with around 50 and then a few drop out for various reasons," explains Kate McCarthy, the President's Award leader or PAL for St Dominic's.

"We've been doing it for the last 14 years," she says. "Every year we have between 30 and 40 students who get their bronze award.

"This year we have about 10 doing silver awards and one student attempting to do gold. Participants have to be very disciplined and responsible, as all activities must be done outside school time. They must be really honest because we can't monitor what they do.

"But nobody does it for the medal," she adds. "It's about achieving something for yourself. Plus it helps us as teachers to channel the energy students have into something positive. In the community category, students must go out and do something beneficial like work in a charity shop or visit the elderly. I have found their willingness to help other people is phenomenal."

Salesian College Celbridge PAL Dominica Crean believes the award suits TY better than any other year.

"We like everything about the challenge of the award," she says. "It fits in with the personal development ethos behind TY. The whole trend running through it is that the student is challenging himself, which is very good training for later life."

But surely all students care about are mobile phones, video games and their hair? Why would anyone want to spend their spare time in this way?

"It's always worthwhile to challenge yourself," says 16-year-old Graeme McGrory of Salesian College.

"If you're willing to put your time into something like this, you really feel great when you have completed all the tasks. Plus it looks good on your CV. Employers will definitely consider you more with a Gaisce award.

"Not only that but the award also gives you the motivation to try things you've always wanted to but never got round to," he adds. "For my skill, I'm learning how to cook with my mam. She teaches me at home, and every Friday I make a different meal for the family. My signature dish is Spanish chicken with peppers."

McGrory is in 5th year and is aiming for the silver award, along with his classmate, Christopher Fenlon. Silver requires more hours in each of the four categories.

"I decided to do the bronze in TY simply because I wanted to try new things," says Fenlon. "This year I'm doing the silver because I actually get so much enjoyment out of doing the tasks. At first you think you won't find the time. Some weeks you just can't do your tasks. But you have to just double the hours the following week."

What is so attractive about the award is the flexibility of the categories. It is the participants who decide what they do.

Stephanie Furlong (17) of Coláiste Bride is walking once a week with her mum for the physical, and has joined the civil defence for the skills category.

"I walk with my mum for an hour every Friday," she says. "With the civil defence I've been learning first aid and all sorts of other useful skills."

The presentation of bronze and silver awards will take place next month throughout the country. There will also be more silver award ceremonies in October and November this year. The gold awards ceremonies take place every spring.

Good luck to all TY students taking part.

ENDLESS POSSIBILITIES FOR THE GO-GETTERS

Amy Stafford (16) TY Coláiste Bride Enniscorthy

Skill:"I'm going to the Enniscorthy Civil Defence for two hours every Monday night. I have 20 of the 26 weeks done. It's great. We've learnt first aid, how to read maps, and perform search and rescue operations."

Community:"I helped out coaching basketball with a teacher from my school. The students were from lower years. I had really good fun." Physical "I go walking every Saturday. I live out in the countryside so me and my mum go out together. She walks faster than me."

Adventure:"This month we're going hiking in Wexford and we have to spend one night camping."

Why Gaisce?"Because I'm in TY. It's not an academic year and I have a lot of time on my hands. So I decided to do it. At the end of it all I'll get something out of it. It's really beneficial."

Andrew Keating (16) TY Salesian College Celbridge

Skill:"I'm learning the guitar. It was one of those things I always wanted to do but never got round to. I'm going to group lessons and have 18 out of the 26 weeks done." Community "I'm working in our school bank. We did a 'build a bank' challenge in partnership with AIB and set up a bank for students. I'm in the sales and marketing division.

Physical:"I play for the local football team, Ballyoulster FC. I love football so this category worked out well for me."

Adventure:"We'll be going hiking in Wicklow, but we probably won't be doing that until fifth year."

Why Gaisce?"In TY you have the opportunity to do new things, so you should. Plus it looks very good on your CV and you develop lots of new skills."

Clare Walsh (15) TY St Dominic's Cabra

Skill:"I've always been interested in singing so I'm going to a musical school and getting lessons. It's great because not only does it help to improve my singing, it's making me more confident as well.

Community:"I visit the elderly in our area. We play bingo, chat about all sorts of things and give them their tea and sandwiches. I'm making friends there which I never thought would happen."

Physical:"I go to my local gym. It's the best way to achieve overall fitness. I go once a week for an hour."

Adventure:"We're going to do two nights' camping and a 30km walk in Balbriggan."

Why Gaisce?"It's a real opportunity to do something that will develop me more as a person while also giving back to the community."

Aine Healy (16) TY St Dominic's Cabra

Skill:"I'm doing the European Computer Driving Licence. We were able to do it in school anyway and it's a very important skill to learn. It also really helps with exams."

Community:"I'm visiting the elderly in an area nearby. I love it. You really get attached to everybody in the group. Every time I go I can't wait to find out how their day is getting on."

Physical:"I'm walking every week in the Phoenix Park, trying to lose a few calories."

Adventure:"I'm going on the hike in Balbriggan (see Clare Walsh, left)."

Why Gaisce?"It can be difficult to motivate yourself each week but it gets easier, and then you learn to be more disciplined. This is an important trait."

Evelyn Flynn (15) TY St Dominic's Cabra

Skill:"I'm learning to cook, for one hour every week. I cook the family meal but my favourite thing to make are cakes and desserts, particularly sponge cakes."

Community:"I teach the children's choir in the local church. I've been working with them for the last 15 weeks . . . They're improving."

Physical:"I'm doing dancing classes in Blanchardstown. We do all sorts of styles like hip-hop and ballroom dancing, but jazz is my favourite."

Why Gaisce?"In TY we have a lot more time, so it's a good time to do something different and go out and get involved with the community."