TY Update May 2017 | Page 32

"I knew from the very first time of meeting Harry McCann and Reece Sheridan that our world was about to experience some serious seismic changes, and ones that will send welcome tremors throughout our world!" young stars to shine their light on the world. The winners of the Rotary Youth Leadership Competition also have the opportunity to represent Ireland in the European annual Competition held in the European Parliament in Strasbourg for one week in February each year. ! To be a great leader, you must first be a great follower! ! You may have heard of Harry McCann. You may have seen him on TV with the likes of the CEO of Twitter, or on the international TedX talks channel, or with Simon Harris or the Taoiseach at the launch of Harry's initiatives such as 'Kids Tech', DYCI (Digital Youth Council of Ireland), Trendster.Com, an online newspaper written by young (under 25) journalists. Great leaders of our industries, tech, education and politics sit around the table with Harry to listen and draw inspiration from him. HOW TYI AMBASSADORS ! As the Youth leadership coordinator for the Naas Rotary Club of Rotary Ireland, and in my professional role as a personal and professional development coach, trainer and motivational speaker, I have been connecting with my local post primary schools for the past 5 years. Each September I meet with principals, transition year coordinators, 5th & 6th year heads and ask the question, 'Do you have any up and coming leaders, amongst your students ?’ Harry McCann and Reece Sheridan were just two of the many names I have been given. From there, I set about organising an interview process for the Rotary Youth Leadership Competition and assist these T Y UPDATE MAY 2017 I mentored Harry through the Youth Leadership competition. Even the great Harry needed mentoring and I knew he had the resilience to develop even more. Harry went on to win the Rotary Youth Leadership competition in 2014/ 15 and was one of 24 Irish students who represented Ireland's youth in the European Union. When I met the extremely courteous, articulate and eager Reece Sheridan I had the same gut reaction as I had when I met Harry, 'Wow, what self confidence and what self belief”. I recognised a naivety which I was unsure about, Reece was only 15 at the time and I was unsure he would have the toughness to get through to the next round. When I suggested to Reece that he might be too