STUDY TECHNIQUE is what 19-year-old Wicklow girl Katie Sherlock attributes her academic success to as she scoops one of the top seven student awards in the country.

Speaking after receiving an award from the Minister for Education for outstanding exam achievement, Katie explained how her study style has paved way for her academic success to date.

I think its my study technique that scores me high grades.

It's just a knack I have for focusing on what I need to answer an exam question and paring down all the information to what is relevant, which is a formula that seems to have worked for me so far!' she said.

Worked it has, as Katie is named one of the top students in the country winning one of seven Easter Week Commemoration Scholarships awarded by the Department of Education each year.

The scholarship not only rewards students for exceptional performance in the Leaving Certificate examination, but also provides financial support for students to continue their studies in higher education and develop their talents and potential.

The scholarships were first awarded by the Department of Education in 1966, to commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of the 1916 Easter Week Rising.

These are highly prestigious awards as only seven scholarships are awarded annually, one for each of the signatories of the 1916 Proclamation of Independence.

Katie was awarded the Patrick Pearse Scholarship for A-1 scores in all Leaving Certificate subjects.

Nothing new for the brainy student, who also scored top grades as a junior at Dominican College Wicklow.

Minister Mary Hanafin wished Katie continued success as she pursues her future education and her chosen career path. Kate, daughter of Pat and Shiela Sherlock is now in her first year at University College Dublin studying for a degree in Commerce International with French.