A Programme manager with one of the biggest companies in the world will be in Westport this week to reveal the winners of the fourth Town of Tomorrow compeitition.
Nicole Drobeck has travelled all the way from her base in Boulder, Colorado to present the prizes. Nicole travelled to Westport last year, as part of a tour of Europe, to launch this year’s awards and the response from second level schools around the county means this year’s awards will be the most keenly fought to date.
Cathaoirleach of Westport Town Council, Cllr Tereasa McGuire, said it was a real coup for the competition to have Nicole returning to present the awards.
“In these economic times, we must harness and advance any business links we have so to have Nicole from Google returning to us is a great bonus.
“I know Nicole was hugely impressed with the level of interest among the students on her last visit and I am sure she will be studying every entry in great depth.”
This is the fourth year of the competition where students are asked to use the free Google Sketch-Up material available to mock up a futuristic view of different parts of Westport. The competition is based on the a ground-breaking 3D computer model of the Heritage Town of Westport commissioned by the Town Council - pioneers in the use of such 3D digital technology for both urban planning and online tourism.
Organiser Brendan Hafferty has been involved with the competition from the outset and he has been delighted with the response this year.
“This year’s competition has attracted the largest number of student entries to date with teams coming from all across Mayo.
There are entries from St Joseph’s School and St Gerald’s College Castlebar, along with St Patrick’s College in Lacken Cross Ballina, St Brendan’s College in Belmullet and Rice College, Westport.
“:The presentation of prizes will take place on Wednesday, May 11, at 4.30pm in the Cineplex, Westport and we are very proud to have Nicole back as our guest of honour.”
Nicole has also organised the production of a unique Town of Tomorrow T-shirt for all the students who take part this year. There are prizes for the winning teams from each institution plus an overall prize for the best entry.
