Student of the Year 1996/7 Citation
Updated 23/10/99"It is not my intention to keep you in suspense for very long, but it is important, nevertheless - before announcing the name - to explain what is meant by Student of the Year. This is a very special award. The student who is selected for this singular honour is not chosen for his academic excellence alone, nor for his participation in the wide range of extra-curricular activites on offer in the school, nor is he chosen for representing CBC in the many areas in which we now successfully compete; though all these things are important factors. The Student of the Year must also embody other qualities which this college seeks to inculcate; qualities like integrity, character, uprightness; qualities that are hard to define, but easy to recognise. This year's winner is Francis O'Donovan.
The choice has been particularly difficult. The sixth years of 1996/'97 were a really exceptional group. They have renewed and strengthened and developed the traditions of CBC: the academic, the sporting, the all round development of the individual. They have provided excellent example to those in classes lower down in the school. Francis O'Donovan is a worthy representative of all that made this group exceptional.
He has a very long and honourable association with CBC. He started off in Junior Infants fourteen years ago, and finished up this year by getting a University Entrance Scholarship, following his first class Leaving Certificate results. I will not attempt to list all the awards and prizes that he received in between those two events. A glance at CBC Newsletters, Year Books and various school magazines show Francis regularly popping up in photographs: the School Orchestra, Computers, Debating, Young Scientist Competition, amongst others. Year after year Francis was involved, committed, keeping things going with enthusiasm. Francis was also an excellent student. He took the business of the classroom seriously. He worked hard and consistently. Francis was equally serious in developing his Catholic and Christian formation as a young person.
Complementing all these admirable qualities was Francis' unfailing politeness and friendliness with fellow pupils and teachers alike. I'm sure Francis will feel honoured to be regarded as the embodiment of the great traditions of CBC; I'm sure his colleagues of last year will feel equally proud to be represented by such a fine young man. We, for our part, will always be proud to call Francis 'a Christians' boy'." - Dr. L. Jordan, Principal.
