An Cathaoirleach Cllr Wayne Harding, Boyne CS pupil Jack Turner, Boyne CS pupil Kipras Samoska, Boyne CS pupil David Kincius, Chief Executive Kieran Kehoe, Director of Services and Area Manager of the Trim MD Des Foley.

Trim students talk 'Emoji Politics' with Meath County Council

Noelle Finegan

Published: Fri 13 Feb 2026, 10:27 AM

Three students from Boyne Community School, Trim were welcomed to Buvinda House by Meath County Council on Wednesday to celebrate their recent success in winning the inaugural Stripe Young Scientist Democracy and Elections Award for their project 'Emoji Politics'.

An Cathaoirleach of Meath County Council, Cllr Wayne Harding and Chief Executive of Meath County Council, Kieran Kehoe met with 5th year students David Kincius, Jack Turner and Kipras Samoska to congratulate them and to learn more about their innovative work with Emoji Politics, a project that focused on how the use of informal language impacts the perceptions of politics among our country’s youth.

The discussion explored how their insights could support the Council’s efforts in civic engagement, public participation, and accessible communication with young people across the county.

Kipras Samoska, Jack Turner, David Kincius, students of Boyne CS who won the inaugural Democracy and Elections award at the Stripe Young Scientist.

Cllr Harding praised the students’ achievement, saying: “These students have demonstrated exceptional creativity and awareness of how young people engage with politics today. Their work offers real, practical insights that can help us strengthen our connection with younger audiences in Meath. We are incredibly proud of their success and their contribution to democratic understanding.”

Chief Executive Kieran Kehoe said: “Their project shows how innovative thinking can enhance public engagement. Understanding how young people communicate is vital to shaping services, policies, and participation opportunities that are accessible to all. We look forward to integrating their insights into our ongoing work in civic engagement across Meath.”