A TEENAGER of Nigerian background has designed the new uniform tie for a well-known school in south Dublin where he is a sixth year student.
Boniface Odoemene (17) won a school-wide competition at De La Salle College in Churchtown to design the new tie, replacing one that had been in use for at least 15 years.
According to principal Lorcan Balfe, the goal was to produce an updated tie that could “last for a period of time”, and Boniface Odoemene’s version was adjudged the winning entry in this respect.
In contrast to the old tie, which was dotted with the school crest, the new version is neatly patterned with diagonal lines in the school’s traditional colours of wine and gold, and when the tie is worn the colours can be prominently seen around the neckline.
The tie’s main colour is still black while the crest features at the end of the new version.
According to Boniface, who has just entered sixth year, prioritising the colours was extremely important as the senior students wear jumpers that are completely black aside from the school crest.
In addition, he was mindful to design a tie that also goes well with the juniors’ grey jumper.
A fan of art, Boniface is taking the subject for his Leaving Certificate, but says he never expected to win the competition.
“I’d forgotten I’d entered! I was a bit taken aback,” said the teenager modestly.
His parents Albert and Tina, originally from Imo State in Nigeria, were understandably proud to hear of Boniface’s achievement. According to dad Albert, he found out the news when he went to the school’s uniform day before the start of the new school year.
“They told me he designed the tie and presented one to me as a gift. That will live a long time in my memory,” he said.
Despite his talents in art and soccer – Boniface plays for Shamrock Rovers in the under-18 Superleague – the 17-year-old is eyeing a career in law or social work.
“I want to do something that helps people,” he said.
