From Left, Top Row;
Niamh McCormick, Letterkenn Niamh O’Dowd, Lifford Eimear McDwyer, Gortlee Sinead O’Doherty, Letterkenny Eimear McGlynn, Letterkenny Bianca Velayo, Letterkenny Eimhear McAleese ,Manor Megan Skinnader, Ramelton
From Left, bottom row: Lucia McNamara, Glenswilly Siobhan McParland, Ramelton Kimberley McBride Manorcunningham Erin Pyper, Letterkenny Dearbhla McDermott,
Girls absent: Maeve Medlar, Letterkeny Lauren Monaghan, Lismonaghan Aoife O’Connor, Ballyare, Letterkenny Róise Quinn, Glenswilly
Isabella Patton, Mountain Top,
FEATURES: A group of Donegal transition year students have taken inspiration from Donegal based start-up company Lottie Dolls – to create a unique new competition for Irish national school students.
The all girl group from Loreto Convent, based their Young Social Innovators project on gender equality.
They created a unique and fantastic new national competition entitled, ‘Defy Gender Stereotypes through Doll Design; National Schools Competition.’
By creating this competition the transition year group are encouraging national school students to become doll designers, and learn about gender equality with an innovative design competition; in collaboration with Donegal based start-up doll company Lottie Dolls.
Friday March 11th is the closing date for design competition entries.
The group consists of eighteen transition year students – and they selected ‘gender-equality’ as their chosen campaign social issue for their Young Social Innovators project.
The Donegal group are advocates of gender equality and the message of their YSI campaign is that “gender should not confine you to any particular role or limit your ability in any subject or skill.”
The Loreto YSI’s aim to communicate their gender-stereotype defying message through art with the help of children and teachers in national schools across the country.
The Loreto YSI’s approached local toy company, Lottie Dolls, to help them with their empowering campaign.
The Donegal based doll brand, communicate a strong pro-girl message and were the perfect fit for the competition. Lottie Dolls’ are child-like dolls designed to stimulate children’s imaginations and inspire learning.
Lottie’s tagline is “Be bold, be brave, be you” and the company also offer a boy-doll, Finn. Lottie and Finn have many adventurous and varied childhood themes which seek to inspire girls and boys to get ‘hands-on’ with diverse activities.
Together, Lottie Dolls and the Loreto YSI’s arranged a very special competition; children are asked to design a ‘farmer’ inspired Lottie and a ‘dancer’ inspired Finn and two lucky children will go on to win their Lottie or Finn design in the form of their very own doll.
The design templates can be downloaded here: http://lott.ie/LoretoYSI
Members of the group are passionate about the campaign message. YSI member, Lauren Monaghan, explains; “I find this subject important because I feel everyone should have the same opportunities.”
The Young Social Innovators are enthusiastic about the competition and excited to receive entries, Dearbhla McDermott, says; “I am looking forward to receiving entries from the primary schools so I can see the children’s perception of gender equality.”
The group are conscious of the impact and challenges related to the subject; Eimear McDwyer explains; “I hope to influence the mind-sets of younger generations so that they will grow up to perceive both genders equal”
This competition provides an opportunity for creativity combined with insights on the importance of gender equality.
If your pupils/children wish to participate in this competition entries should be sent via e-mail to create@lottie.com in JPEG format with ‘Loreto YSI’ in the subject line, by Friday March 11th.
Or alternatively via post to:
Loreto Secondary School, Castle Street, Letterkenny, Co.Donegal
Tags: