Conor Cunningham

A graduate of St. Colman’s College, Newry (2018–2025), Conor was recently honored with the award for unwavering dedication to schoolwork, a distinction presented by Ciaran Conlon that recognises his persistence, positive ethos, and commitment to academic excellence. Building on this foundation of hard work, Conor is currently advancing his career through a Higher Level Apprenticeship (HLA) in Business at the Southern Regional College, gaining invaluable industry experience while employed by First Derivative.

Q&A

What does winning the Brian Conlon Award mean to you personally?

Personally, I’m honoured to receive such a prestigious award and proud to have been chosen for it. It means a great deal to me to have my efforts recognised, and it’s something I’m genuinely grateful for. To get the opportunity to accept this award out of all the students from all schools across NI is a huge achievement and I am thrilled to be in the position to receive this.

How did you find out you were getting the award?

I was contacted by my previous school principal from St. Colemans College, who informed me that I had won the award and explained that it would be presented to me by Ciaran Conlon at the prize-giving ceremony. Hearing the news was a real surprise and made the achievement feel even more special, especially knowing it would be recognised in front of others at my old school.

How has your own educational journey been influenced by opportunities or support similar to those Brian Conlon created?

I feel that I share some of the same attributes as Brian such as being hard-working, passionate, and determined – and I believe these qualities have helped me achieve a lot throughout my educational journey. Having that mindset pushed me to stay focused and committed, even when things were challenging, and it makes receiving an award associated with him even more meaningful.

What part of Brian Conlon’s story or values – such as hard work, academic excellence, or seizing opportunities inspires you the most?

Brian’s values of hard work and seizing opportunities inspire me the most. These are the qualities that helped him build FD, and they really resonate with me. I believe they are two of the most important values needed to achieve success, as they encourage you to put in the effort, stay open to new opportunities, and make the most of them when they arise.

What do you think set you apart to be selected for the award?

I feel my hard work throughout my school years, despite what hurdles were thrown at me while continuing to achieve and maintain a positive but level headed mindset could’ve had a part to play in being selected for this award.