Portlaoise youngster wins Inspire award at special ceremony
Ila Emanual Alby with her award at the BYITC Inspire Awards 2026.
A Portlaoise-based youngster has done her community proud with a special recognition British Youth International College (BYITC) Inspire Awards 2026 at St Augustine’s Church in Bishopbriggs on Saturday, 20 June.
Ila Emanual Alby (12), who attends Holy Family Senior School, Portlaoise, was among the standout winners celebrated at the ceremony, which recognised achievements across multiple disciplines.
The pupils honoured excelled in both the 9th International Maths Olympiad and BYITC’s Supermaths Abacus programme, a method of learning Maths that offers an educational introduction to the use of the abacus tool and underlying concepts. Ila was an Abacus graduate.
The Inspire Awards also celebrated those who demonstrated leadership and creativity through the She Power Awards.
The ceremony, judged by Mrs Rohini Sharma Joshi OBE, Mr Kiran Sagar, Mr Harminder Berman, and Mr Charan Gill MBE, convened over 100 attendees to recognise the achievements of 29 students from across the UK and Ireland. Ila's parents, Emanual Alby and Jess Alphonse Deedy Sony said:
“The smile on Ila's face says it all today. BYITC has helped her develop confidence, quick thinking, and a love for learning that we know will stay with her for years to come.”
Dr Rashmi Mantri, founder of BYITC, said:
“It was fantastic to see such a strong cohort at this year’s Inspire Awards and congrats Ila. These young learners have shown exceptional dedication not only in developing their maths and academic skills, but also in building confidence, leadership, and determination. They are wonderful role models for other children in the community."
