FINN Valley College celebrated student success, leadership and community spirit at its annual prizegiving ceremony last week, honouring achievements across academics, sport, performing arts, wellbeing and student leadership.
All awards were framed by Donegal ETB’s five core values: Excellence in Education, Care, Equality, Community, and Respect. Students honoured on the day reflected these principles in their daily contributions to school life.
Cameron Porter (Head Boy), Kara O’Neill (Deputy Head Girl), Brooke Stewart (Head Girl), Daithi Mangan (Head Boy) pictured with Ashlean Mc Geehan, Deputy Principal, Séan McFadden, Principal, Paul Hannigan, President ATU Donegal who was guest of honour, Ms. Claudia Kennedy, Aisling McKean, Jason Ewing, Chairman Finn Valley College Parents Association, Photos Gerard McHugh Photography
The ceremony was attended by students, staff and invited guests, and was opened by Principal, Séan McFadden, who welcomed guest of honour Paul Hannigan, Head of College at Atlantic Technological University (ATU) Donegal. He encouraged students to continue believing in themselves and striving for success.
Mr McFadden praised students for their dedication, resilience and contribution to school life throughout the year.
He paid heartfelt tribute to student Josh Morrow, whose recent passing has deeply affected the school community. The principal praised the kindness and solidarity shown by students and staff during a difficult time.
“Success is not about where you start, but how far you’re willing to go,” he told students.
“Keep going. Keep believing in yourselves. Never forget that you are capable, you are worthy, and you are the future”.
Becky Doherty (Senior Drama Award winner) and Erin Alexander (Junior Drama Award winner) pictured with Séan McFadden, Principal, Paul Hannigan, special guest, Aisling McKean, Shannon Gallagher, Ashlean McGeehan, Deputy Principal, Jason Ewing, Chairman Finn Valley College Parents Association, and Claudia Kennedy.
A large number of students received Excellence in Education awards across a variety of subjects.
Academic winners included Katie Dolan (Junior Business), Cori Gregg (Senior Business), Sophie Thomas (Senior Accounting and Senior Mathematics), Valentyna Yavniuk (Junior Science and Junior English), Iryna Shutak (Senior Biology, Senior Art, Senior History and Construction Studies), Harry Lafferty (Junior Geography), David Franczak (Junior Gaeilge), Oisin Foy (Senior Engineering) and Jay Thompson (Senior English).
Finn Valley Vex Robotics Team pictured with Séan McFadden, Principal, and Ashlean McGeehan, Deputy Principal.
Leadership and equality awards recognised the important contribution made by members of the Student Council, class leaders, senior prefects and mentors.
Brooke Stewart and Cameron Porter were named Head Girl and Head Boy, while Kara O’Neill and Daithí Mangan were appointed Deputy Head Girl and Deputy Head Boy.
Daithi Mangan (Senior Head Boy) and Brooke Stewart (Senior Head Girl) with guests at the prizegiving ceremony.
The school’s Wellbeing Team was commended for its work promoting positive mental health and organising initiatives including the Cycle Against Suicide programme and the achievement of Amber Flag status.
A major highlight of the afternoon was the unveiling of the school’s new ‘Elephant in the Room’ sculpture, created in partnership with the Elephant in the Room Movement and the Kyne Foundation to encourage open conversations around mental health.
Finn Valley College Junior Academic Award winners.
Designs by students Anna Matviienko, Mia Olahova Brennan and Oisin McAteer formed the basis of the artwork.
Sporting achievement featured strongly throughout the ceremony. Sports awards went to Emerald Airoboyi and Anna Matviienko (Minor Female Sportspersons of the Year), Eoghan McNamee (Minor Male Sportsperson), Amy Sweeney (Junior Female Sportsperson), Noah Fairman McElwaine (Junior Male Sportsperson), Ciara O’Neill (Senior Female Sportsperson) and Tyler Doherty (Senior Male Sportsperson).
The school also celebrated the success of its 1st and 2nd Year girls’ basketball team following a title-winning performance in Letterkenny.
Performing arts awards were presented to Erin Alexander and Becky Doherty following the success of the school’s first full-scale musical production, All Shook Up, staged at the Balor Theatre.
Finn Valley College Digital Ambassadors with Ms. Imelda Collum, Séan McFadden, principal, Ashlean McGeehan, Deputy Principal and Lisa Treanor.
Students were also recognised for achievements in debating, robotics, environmental work and community programmes. The Junior Debate team won the ETB Rose Bowl Competition, while the VEX Robotics team earned praise for representing the school at regional finals and mentoring primary school pupils.
Several prestigious individual honours were presented during the afternoon. Ciara Moss won the Aidan Doherty Perpetual Poetry Award for her poem The Turtle, while Zahra Rezaee received recognition for placing second nationally in the CareersPortal National Career Skills Competition.
Attendance awards were presented to students who achieved full attendance throughout the school year, including Kehinde Adeleke, Taiwo Adeleke, Hilda Marie Bradley, Brógán Mangan, Charlie Davey, Dylan Doherty, Zahra Rezaee and Daithí Mangan.
The Spirit of Finn Valley College Award, voted for by teachers, was presented to Daithí Mangan in recognition of his positivity, leadership and contribution to school life.
Junior Students of the Year awards were presented to David Franczak and Aoife Cannon. Senior Students of the Year honours went to Brooke Stewart and Daithí Mangan for their outstanding leadership, commitment and service to the school community.
The ceremony concluded with performances from the school choir with our school anthem and warm congratulations to all award recipients for helping make the 2025/26 school year a memorable success.
The MC for the ceremony was Ms Aisling McKean.
Ciara Moss who was winner of the Aidan Doherty Memorial Award for poetry pictured with Mr. Freddie Godliman, other staff members and guests.
Full Attendance Award winners.
The Finn Valley College Building Relationships Team with Ashlean McGeehan, Deputy Principal and Ms Holly Murray.
Zahra Rezaee who was a Careers National winner pictured with Rory White, Careers teacher, other staff members and guests.
Senior Leaders at Finn Valley College.
Junior Sports Awards winners pictured with Alan McAteer, Paddy McDaid, Séan McFadden, Principal, Paul Hannigan, Sean McBride, Aisling McKean, Ashlean McGeehan, Deputy Principal Jason Ewing and Claudia Kennedy.
Class Student of the Year Award winners
David Franczak (Junior Boy) and Mia Olahova Brennan (Junior Girl).
Ciaran O’Neill presents the Caretaker Award to Adrian McNulty.
Finn Valley College Academic Senior Leadership Award winners
Daithi Mangan who was winner of the Finn Valley College Spirit Award.