Finn Valley College hosted its annual prize-giving ceremony this week, celebrating student excellence, leadership, and achievement across a wide range of areas.
The event reflected a year of academic progress, sporting commitment, creative endeavour, and personal growth among the student body.
Held in the college with staff and students in attendance, the ceremony recognised both individual accomplishment and the strong culture of care, equality, and respect that defines the school.
Guest of Honour Brendan Devenney, former Donegal GAA player and broadcaster, spoke to students about the importance of resilience, passion, and belief. His words were echoed by Principal Mr. Séan McFadden, who praised students for their efforts and character.
He said “This day is about celebrating students achievements. It’s about recognising students who show leadership, kindness, and determination in everything they do.”
All awards were framed by the Donegal ETB’s five core values: Excellence in Education, Care, Equality, Community, and Respect.
Students honoured on the day reflected these principles in their daily contributions to school life.
Class leaders, prefects, and student council members were recognised for their leadership, while peer mentors, wellbeing ambassadors, and participants in the Social Skills Programme were acknowledged for promoting a positive, inclusive atmosphere.
Kieran O’Neill presents Rory Matthewson with the Caretakers award at the Finn Valley College Prizegiving. Included in the the photo are Brendan Devenney guest of Honour , Mr Séan McFadden (Principal Finn Valley College) and
Ms Kathleen Boland (Deputy Principal).Photo by Gerard McHugh Photography
Pupils from the Finn Valley college who received Acadamic Awards are Back row (l-r) Sreaphina Umeh, Ella McCready,Kylie Gallinagh, Cian O’Brien,Mathew McGuinness,Tommy O’Donnell,Chloe Campbell, Christopher Stewart ,Valentyna Yavniuk, and front row (l-r) Ms Fiona Mullin (Chairperson, Parents Association), Ms Ashlean Mc Geehan (Chairperson of Board of Management),Brendan Devenney guest of Honour , Mr Séan McFadden (Principal Finn Valley College) and Ms Kathleen Boland (Deputy Principal).Photo by Gerard McHugh Photography
Ms. Noreen Doherty wife of the late Aidan Doherty present the “Aidan Doherty” poetry award to Valentyna Yavniuk.Included in the photo are Brendan Devenney guest of Honour . Mr Freddie Godleman , Mr Séan McFadden (Principal Finn Valley College)Michael McMenamin SNA who wrote a poem about Aidan , Ms Kathleen Boland (Deputy Principal) and Ms. Imelda Collum.Photo by Gerard McHugh Photography
Excellence in Drama Award Winners for the Finn Valley College are Clodagh Harkin, Kassie Foy, Gemma Lafferty,Daithi Mangan, Orin Hume ,Shelton Khumalo.,David Dooley. Included in the photo are Ms. Lisa Trainor, Ms.Nicole McCafferty, Ms.Holie Murray, Mr Sean Byrne,Ms Kathleen Boland (Deputy Principal), Brendan Devenney, Mr Séan McFadden (Principal Finn Valley College), Mr.Freddie Godleman .Photo by Gerard McHugh Photography
Finn Valley College School Choir who recorded the School Anthem pictured with front row (l-r) Ms Fiona Mullin (Chairperson, Parents Association),Ms. Farah Bogle, Brendan Devenney guest of Honour , Mr Séan McFadden (Principal Finn Valley College) ,Ms Kathleen Boland (Deputy Principal) and Ms Ashlean Mc Geehan (Chairperson of Board of Management),.Photo by Gerard McHugh Photography
Sports Aaward winners
Pupils from the Finn Valley college who reveived their Student of the Year Aawrds. Included in the photo are front row (l-r) Ms Fiona Mullin (Chairperson, Parents Association),Mr Rory White, Brendan Devenney guest of Honour , Mr Séan McFadden (Principal Finn Valley College) ,Ms Kathleen Boland (Deputy Principal) and Ms Ashlean Mc Geehan (Chairperson of Board of Management),.Photo by Gerard McHugh Photography
Pupils from the Finn Valley college who reveived their JCSP Aawrds. Included in the photo are front row (l-r) Ms Fiona Mullin (Chairperson, Parents Association),Mr Rory White, Brendan Devenney guest of Honour , Mr Séan McFadden (Principal Finn Valley College) ,Ms Kathleen Boland (Deputy Principal) and Ms Ashlean Mc Geehan (Chairperson of Board of Management).Photo by Gerard McHugh Photography
Gaisce Award winners pictured at the Finn Valley College prizegiving Pupils from the Finn Valley college who reveived their JCSP Aawrds. Included in the photo are Ms. Lisa Trainor ‘ Ms.Imelda Collum ,front row (l-r) Ms Fiona Mullin (Chairperson, Parents Association),Mr Rory White, Brendan Devenney guest of Honour , Mr Séan McFadden (Principal Finn Valley College) ,Ms Kathleen Boland (Deputy Principal) and Ms Ashlean Mc Geehan (Chairperson of Board of Management),.Photo by Gerard McHugh Photography
The school was proud to once again receive the Amber Flag for its work in mental health awareness and celebrated the efforts of the Green Schools Committee, whose work in environmental sustainability continues to make a meaningful impact.
The school celebrated student participation across a wide variety of sports throughout the year — including Gaelic football, soccer, and athletics. The ceremony recognised the school’s wide-reaching sports programme and strong student involvement.
Awards were presented to students who displayed exceptional talent, commitment, and sportsmanship. Yasmin Piacentini and Tyler Doherty were named Senior Sportspeople of the Year, while the Spirit of Finn Valley College Award was presented to Rory Matthewson for his outstanding positivity, leadership, and school pride
Academic achievement was recognised across a wide range of subjects, including STEM, humanities, languages, creative design, technology, and music. Students in debating and VEX Robotics were commended for their success both in competition and in representing the school externally.
Performers from the school’s Christmas concert — a vibrant Disney-themed production — received drama awards, and students who composed the new Finn Valley College anthem were recognised for their creativity and collaboration.
A highlight of the afternoon was the presentation of the inaugural Aidan Doherty Poetry Award, in memory of a much-loved former teacher. The award was presented to Valentyna Yavniuk for her moving and original poem, “Kills to Forget.”
The ceremony concluded with the announcement of the Student of the Year awards — recognising students who demonstrate academic excellence, leadership, and a strong commitment to the school’s ethos:
Junior Students of the Year: Cealan McMenamin and Maddison Cannon
Senior Students of the Year: Ryan Gallagher and Kylie Gallinagh
The 2025 Prizegiving Ceremony at Finn Valley College served as a fitting close to a year of achievement and progress.
Through the recognition of individual effort and shared values, the event celebrated a school community where every student is supported to reach their full potential — and every success is a shared one.
Class Leaders who were honoured at the Finn Valley College Prizegiving, Included in the photo are Ms. Claire Duffy, Ms Fiona Mullin (Chairperson, Parents Association),Ms Diver, Brendan Devenney guest of Honour , Mr Séan McFadden (Principal Finn Valley College) ,Ms Kathleen Boland (Deputy Principal) and Ms Ashlean Mc Geehan (Chairperson of Board of Management),.Photo by Gerard McHugh Photography
Class Leaders and Senior Prefects who were honoured at the Finn Valley College Prizegiving, Included in the photo are Ms. Claire Duffy, Ms Fiona Mullin (Chairperson, Parents Association),Ms Diver, Brendan Devenney guest of Honour , Mr Séan McFadden (Principal Finn Valley College) ,Ms Kathleen Boland (Deputy Principal) and Ms Ashlean Mc Geehan (Chairperson of Board of Management),.Photo by Gerard McHugh Photography
The Peer Mentor group who were honoured at the Finn Valley College Prizegiving Back row (l-r) Anderson Erroa García, Justin McGhee,Craig Baird, Katie Coote, Leisha Chandler, Ms. Elaine O’Regan. Front row (l-r). Ms Fiona Mullin (Chairperson, Parents Association), Brendan Devenney guest of Honour , Mr Séan McFadden (Principal Finn Valley College) ,Ms Kathleen Boland (Deputy Principal) and Ms Ashlean Mc Geehan (Chairperson of Board of Management),.Photo by Gerard McHugh Photography
Pupils from the Finn Valley College who completed the People skills Programme. Pictured back row (l-r) Jenifer Gallagher (SNA) Michaella McHugh, Dylan Doherty,Nicole Manan Bonner,Conor McDermott,Cora Browne, Katie McElhinney, Wayne Mathema, and Illia Tonkonozhenk, Included in the photo are Ms Fiona Mullin (Chairperson, Parents Association), Brendan Devenney guest of Honour , Mr Séan McFadden (Principal Finn Valley College) ,Ms Kathleen Boland (Deputy Principal) and Ms Ashlean Mc Geehan (Chairperson of Board of Management),.Photo by Gerard McHugh Photography. Pictured back row (l-r) Jenifer Gallagher (SNA) Michela McHugh, Dylan Doherty, Included in the photo are Ms Fiona Mullin (Chairperson, Parents Association), Brendan Devenney guest of Honour , Mr Séan McFadden (Principal Finn Valley College) ,Ms Kathleen Boland (Deputy Principal) and Ms Ashlean Mc Geehan (Chairperson of Board of Management),.Photo by Gerard McHugh Photography
Students who were honoured for Full Attendance for the year at the Finn Valley College Prizegiving Kevin Scanlon, Zahra Rezaee,Jamie McGonagle,Zuhal Rezaee, Daithi Mangan, Oisin Foy,Alex Vaghan, Dylan Doherty, Included in the photo are Ms Fiona Mullin (Chairperson, Parents Association), Brendan Devenney guest of Honour , Mr Séan McFadden (Principal Finn Valley College) ,Ms Kathleen Boland (Deputy Principal) and Ms Ashlean Mc Geehan (Chairperson of Board of Management),.Photo by Gerard McHugh Photography
The VEX Robotics team who represented the Finn Valley College at the regional final in the ATU Donegal. Included in the photo are Ms Fiona Mullin (Chairperson, Parents Association), Brendan Devenney guest of Honour , Mr Séan McFadden (Principal Finn Valley College) ,Ms Kathleen Boland (Deputy Principal) and Ms Ashlean Mc Geehan (Chairperson of Board of Management),.Photo by Gerard McHugh Photography
The Green Schools Committee , who were Nikol Stesenko,Erika Kennedy, Leisha Chandler, Cori Gregg, Ryan Wilson, Ryan Gallagher and Jay Thompson who were honoured at the Finn Valley College Prizegiving. Included in the photo are Ms Katie Mc Granaghan (Co-ordinator), Ms Fiona Mullin (Chairperson, Parents Association), Brendan Devenney guest of Honour , Mr Séan McFadden (Principal Finn Valley College) ,Ms Kathleen Boland (Deputy Principal) and Ms Ashlean Mc Geehan (Chairperson of Board of Management),.Photo by Gerard McHugh Photography
TY Students Molly McConnell,Abbie McGlinchey,Craig Baird, and Leisha Chandler,who were honoured at the Finn Valley College Prizegiving. Included in the photo are Ms. Claire Molloy, Ms Fiona Mullin (Chairperson, Parents Association), Brendan Devenney guest of Honour , Mr Séan McFadden (Principal Finn Valley College) ,Ms Kathleen Boland (Deputy Principal) and Ms Ashlean Mc Geehan (Chairperson of Board of Management),.Photo by Gerard McHugh Photography
Finn Valley College Senior & Junior debating teams who were honoured at the Finn Valley College Prizegiving. Included in the photo are Ms. Claire Molloy, Ms Fiona Mullin (Chairperson, Parents Association), Brendan Devenney guest of Honour , Mr Séan McFadden (Principal Finn Valley College) ,Ms Kathleen Boland (Deputy Principal) and Ms Ashlean Mc Geehan (Chairperson of Board of Management),.Photo by Gerard McHugh Photography
Brendan Devenney guest of Honour at the Finn Valley College prize giving presents Ryan Gallagher Senior Male Student of the Year and Kylie Gallinagh with the Female Student of the Year. Included in the photo are Mr Séan McFadden (Principal Finn Valley College) and
Ms Kathleen Boland (Deputy Principal).Photo by Gerard McHugh Photography
Brendan Devenney guest of Honour at the Finn Valley College prize giving presents Cealan McMenamin with the Junior Male Student of the Year and Maddison Cannon with the Junior Female Student of the Year. Included in the photo are Mr Séan McFadden (Principal Finn Valley College) and
Ms Kathleen Boland (Deputy Principal).Photo by Gerard McHugh Photography
Maria McMenamin pictured at the Finn Valley College prizegiving along wit Ms. Shannon Maguire, Ashlean McGeehan, Kathleen Boland and Ms. Fiona Mullin. Photo by Gerard McHugh Photography
