TY student from Mayo wins major national award
Peterina Grealis from St Joseph's Secondary School, Castlebar was awarded the Phoenix of the Year Award. The prize was accepted by her father and colleagues from Dr Laura McEntee, Director of Education, The Shona Project.
Peterina Grealis from St Joseph's Secondary School in Castlebar has been named Phoenix of the Year at the 2026 TrailblazHER Awards, held at TU Dublin Concert Hall.
The awards, organised by TU Dublin, celebrate outstanding TY students across Ireland who are already making a meaningful impact in their schools and communities. Hosted by Aisling Bonner of RTÉ 2FM, the event recognises students who demonstrate leadership, creativity, resilience, and commitment to making a difference.
Peterina was recognised for her extraordinary resilience and dedication. After her mother was diagnosed with Stiff Person Syndrome, she stepped in to manage the family’s wedding music business while continuing her studies and Transition Year commitments.
A talented harpist and singer, Peterina continues to perform at weddings, easing financial pressures at home while pursuing her own ambitions, including competing in Junk Kouture and serving as one of 30 national Climate Ambassadors.
Her courage, determination, and positive attitude have inspired both peers and teachers, showing that leadership and impact come from resilience, commitment, and a willingness to support others.
The TrailblazHER TY Awards celebrate Ireland’s emerging leaders, innovators, and changemakers, recognising students like Peterina who are already making a real difference and inspiring others to take action in their communities.
The 2026 TY TrailblazHER Awards ceremony at TU Dublin’s Grangegorman campus brought together students, teachers and families to celebrate a generation already creating positive change.
“These awards recognise not just achievement, but potential," said Patricia Harrington, teacher from St Patrick’s Grammar School, Dublin. "The TY TrailblazHER Awards are about empowering young women to see themselves as the leaders, innovators and changemakers of tomorrow. These awards showcase the actions of our teenagers and how their actions today, impact their tomorrow. I wanted to showcase the incredible talent within our Transition Year, while allowing them to be role models also for younger years.”
