PAST PUPIL OF SHANBALLY NATIONAL SCHOOL TO THE FORE IN US

By John Twomey

Having completed his education in 6th Class in Shanbally James O’Keeffe moved with his family to the town of Libertyville in Illinios USA.  Located about thirty miles due north of the City of Chicago and near Lake Michigan and adjoining the State of Wisconsin.

The Schooling system in USA is three tier, Elementary, Middle and High school. Recently the Senior year students in Libertyville High School graduated and move on to the next stage in their lives. Among the graduates was James O’Keeffe.  He was acknowledged as an Honours Student and as well as receiving the Paul Storbeck Award for Excellence in Social Studies.  His citation stated that the award was ‘ an unanimous decision by the School recognising his great interest and engagement in Law, Psychology, History and Government.’  James plans to return to Ireland  to pursue his University Studies later in the year.

SCHOOL FACILITIES

Whereas Ireland can with some justification claim to have one of the best education systems in the world. Credit the Brothers, The Nuns and Priests of yesteryear for their magnificent commitment and efforts and the Men and Women  of today who now have succeeded them to put our students on a local and world stage.  In the USA they have splendid teachers  and schools that are a sight to behold.  Well-equipped High Schools have state of the art facilities for all sports and disciplines including American Football, Track & Field(Indoor and Outdoor tracks) Baseball, Soccer, Swimming. Water Polo, Volleyball, Tennis, and many others.   Sport as part of education is very complimentary and participants can open up other avenues on completing education. Complimenting these, the schools have its own full time Coaches, Physiotherapists and First Aiders to provide assistance to its student athletics.

James O'Keeffe leads his team to the winners rostrum in the final of the 3200 metres at the Stevenson High School Track.

COMPETITION

There is of course huge inter school rivalry among the various teams and Students take a huge sense of pride in wearing the School colours and bring home some of the laurels. James has been a very active member of the Cross Country and Track & Field teams. Cross Country would feature in the Autumn and early Winter with The Track events Commencing in the Spring.  As a member of the School’s Varsity team and team captain  he has participated in numerous inter high school and State Meetings. His current speciality is the 3200 metres and recently in one of his last races led his team to the winners’ arena.

GRADUATION CEREMONY.

The Libertyville High school Ceremony for 2025 was held in an Ice Hockey Stadium near Chicago. There were 474 young men and women present to receive their High School diplomas. The entire event  was a model for organisation and choreography.  The School Principal opened the event and the School Choir gave a beautiful rendition of Billy Joels “Vienna”. This was followed with a rousing and spine chilling version of “The Star-Spangled Banner”.  The tone was set, this is America and 474 students now fully primed awaited their call to the podium. 

One of the interesting parts of the ceremony was the naming of all the Students who were planning to join the American Forces,- Air Force, Navy, US Military West Point academy. They were all asked to stand and their colleagues and large attendance responded with a rousing applause.   Like all such events there were scenes of great joy and happiness as the boys and girls of Class 2025 rejoined their parents and their families to celebrate their achievements and wish them a bright and successful future .

‘If you can dream it,  you can achieve it …’

James on his Graduation Day with his parents Elaine and Graham and sister Hannah.