Creative Jessy wins scholarship

A YOUNG creative student from Blanchardstown has been awarded a potentially life-changing university scholarship.

Jessy Kalala – a talented songwriter and music producer – was announced last week as a winner of the Creativity Scholarship from the Adobe Foundation.

The 18-year-old from Foróige’s Computer Clubhouse in Blanchardstown was one of just 25 students from 12 countries selected for this years class of Adobe Creativity Scholars.

Young filmmakers, social entrepreneurs and artists like Jessy are selected for the scholarship in recognition of strong academic performance, leadership, global awareness and creativity.

The scholarship represents one of several positive outcomes of collaborative work being carried out by the TechSpace national movement, which includes organisations like Foróige.

TechSpace strives to make major improvements to the digital literacy of young people and the evolution of education systems.

The Adobe Foundation is a partner to TechSpace, supporting their educator training programs as well as providing the university scholarship.

Jessy, a TechSpace participant with Foróige, said he’s really looking forward to the scholarship.

“I’m going to be starting my degree in Commercial Modern Music in DIT in September and I’m extremely excited,

? he added.

“Getting this scholarship has opened so many doors of opportunity up for me.

“I’m really excited to start college in September now knowing I don’t have to worry about how I’m going to pay for it.

?

TechSpace, a programme hosted by the social enterprise, Camara Ireland, is the Irish network partner of the Adobe Foundation. It delivers the Adobe Youth Voices (AYV) program to young people and educators throughout Ireland.

“Today’s young creatives have unprecedented influence on the world around them,

? said Patricia Cogley of AYV.

“They are igniting discussions on social and environmental issues with creativity that can transcend global boundaries. Using digital story making, they can translate personal experiences and perspectives into media that has the power to create real change in communities around the world.

?

Siobhan Hennessy, Jessy’s AYV Educator, Youth Worker and Coordinator of Foróige Computer Clubhouse’s

‘TechSpace’ in Blanchardstown explained how the programme works on the ground.

“The Techspace AYV Programme allows me as an educator to work with extremely talented young people on a daily basis,

? she said.

“We provide the space, the skills and the technology, enabling them to take their creativity one step further so they can express themselves through using the best tools technology has to offer.

“We have programmes in every aspect of multimedia and are now offering opportunities for young people to explore making, coding and electronic arts.

“Jessy’s time spent in the Techspace AYV Program has had a great impact on his ability to write songs and compose lyrics and music in a way that makes people stop and listen.

“His enthusiasm and passion for songwriting and music production is infectious amongst younger members and his audience. I wish him every success in his college degree and no doubt a successful music career!”