Young Americans welcomed back to Finglas school

YOUNG Northsiders from Coláiste Eoin teamed up with Young Americans last week for a three-day performing arts workshop at the school. 

The Young Americans are a non-profit group formed in Hollywood about 50 years ago, around the same time Coláiste Eoin took in its first pupils.

The group’s mission is to promote understanding and goodwill around the world through music, dance, performance, academic education and cultural interaction.

The Young Americans first visited Coláiste Eoin last year and their return last week to encourage over 250 students to take part in what’s described as the ultimate holistic learning experience.

“We want to give every child the opportunity to explore and realise their creative and academic strengths in Coláiste Eoin,” said school principal, Paula O’Brien.

“In the Young Americans show every child performs, every child experiences success and every child explores their own creativity.

“Success builds confidence and self-esteem and promotes self-belief.”

The Young Americans ran a series of workshops during the week with the students, which culminated in a performance in the school. And it wasn’t just any old school performance but a major, high octane, high energy show that astounded even cynics to applaud what can be achieved in such a short time.

The arts really came alive in Coláiste Eoin after last year’s Young Americans workshops and since then Coláiste Eoin students have been busy composing and performing.

The school’s CE Rappers wrote a rap ‘Friends are Forever’ with Garry McCarthy on the theme of anti-bullying. They then performed it in the Helix at the DCU awards night and on RTE 2’s ‘The Swipe’ and News2day.

They also wrote a rap ‘Freedom’ that was entered into the ‘Song ‘16’ national contest where they were shortlisted and performed in the final at the National Concert Hall.

Coláiste Eoin also hosted the ‘Battle of The Bands’ talent show in May 2016 where acts from many of the secondary schools in the area competed. The show will now become an annual event in the school’s arts calendar.