The wait is finally over: the RWC is ready to announce a partial list of winners for the National Secondary School Essay-Writing Competition! It was very hard to choose the winning essays, as the standard of this year's entries was so high. All the students who submitted essays should be very proud of their work. The RWC would like to extend their gratitude towards all the pupils and teachers who submitted essays; the competition couldn't have gone forward without you.

So, without further ado, here is the shortlist for the fifth year category:

• Isabel Azu, Kishoge Community College, Lucan, Co. Dublin.
• Clara Buchwald, Coláiste Chiaráin, Athlone, Co. Roscommon.
• Ava Moore, St. Catherine's Vocational School, Killybegs, Co. Donegal.

Here is the shortlist for the Transition Year category:

• Caoimhe MacCarthy, St. Aloysius, Carrigtwohill, Co. Cork.
• Fiona Hourigan, St. Mary's High School, Midleton, Co. Cork.
• Lenora Murphy, St. Cuan's College, Ballinasloe, Co. Galway.

On May 16th, these shortlisted entrants will be welcomed by UL President, Professor Desmond Fitzgerald, and the overall winner in each category will be announced alongside the two runners-up. The overall winners will both be awarded an Android tablet, with each runner-up receiving a One-For-All voucher valued at €100.