Katie Taylor has finally taken a day off from winning gold medals.
The Bray boxer has turned medal provider as she visited Ardscoil Mhuire in Ballinasloe, Galway today to surprise 14-year-old Stephanie O’Halloran.
Stephanie’s name was put forward by her school to be considered for the Sky Sports Living for Sport campaign, a programme that is aimed at celebrating the “outstanding achievements of students and teachers, using sports stars and the skills learnt through sport to build life skills in young people as a result of their involvement in the programme.”
Watch @KatieTaylor surprise Stephanie O’Halloran, this year’s Student of the Year – #ROI #LivingForSportAwards https://t.co/NXAjIikAaF
— Sky Academy (@SkyAcademy) March 25, 2015
The Olympic gold medalist surprised Stephanie when she was taking part in a school quiz earlier this afternoon and presented her with the Student of the Year award for the Republic of Ireland.
She was nominated for the award after setting up a project to help disabled teenagers by delivering to them a sports session but, heartbreakingly, her father passed away just before the project got underway.
But Stephanie immersed herself in the project, attempting to distract herself from the terribly challenging loss of her father and never missed a session.
Stephanie O’Halloran is the #LivingForSportAwards Student of the Year: ROI having just been surprised by @KatieTaylor pic.twitter.com/rTgd7ddO1M
— Sky Sports News HQ (@SkySportsNewsHQ) March 25, 2015
Speaking about the courage of Stephanie, Sky Sports Ambassador Taylor said: “All of the three Irish students shortlisted for Sky Sports Living for Sport Student of the Year are inspirational and I’m so pleased that they have been recognised at this year’s awards. Today is Stephanie’s day and it’s great to be here in Galway to give her the award. She’ll be sure to have an amazing time at the Sky Sports Living for Sport Awards in London this weekend. Good luck Stephanie!”
Just surprised this year’s Irish Student of the Year at her school. Congrats @13StephanieO ! @SkyAcademy #SSLFS pic.twitter.com/eR4aR4gbzH
— Katie Taylor (@KatieTaylor) March 25, 2015
The award means that Stephanie will now go up against the winners of the prize from England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland at a ceremony which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports on Sunday.
H/t to SkySports
