A young person from Laois has been honoured at the 2024 Laois/Offaly Garda Divisional Youth Awards, held in the Killeshin Hotel in Portlaoise.
Patryk Paszkiewicz, a 16-year-old from Portlaoise, has received an Special Achievement Award, recognising his positive impact with his peers, his family and his school work.
The Garda Youth Awards recognise the outstanding achievement of young people between the ages of 13 and 21, who have undertaken exceptional work in their local communities or who have shown great determination in their own lives.
Patryk was nominated by Mr Sean Murphy of Foroige Laois, who said the teenager has “benefited greatly” from his involvement with Foroige Laois, based at the The Old Bank Centre on Main Street in Portlaoise.
“Patryk has reaped the benefits of the positive actions he has taken and as outlined he is now giving back to the community which is something that he and family should be immensely proud of,” Mr Murphy said.
Patryk joined Foroige on his father’s advice where he actively engaged and learned vital new skills.
These skills have allowed Patryk to move forward in a positive way in his life and have allowed his maturity and strength of character to come to the fore.
Patryk’s engagement with Foroige has had a positive impact on his engagement with his peers, family and school work.
He has also contributed very positively to the community in the Old Bank Youth Centre.
On the basis of his experience there, he has invited a number of his friends to attend.
These friends have also engaged meaningfully and have benefited from the service provided.
Patryk works at the Killeshin Hotel where the Awards ceremony took place.
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