Outstanding students given awards in festival fortnight

OUTSTANDING achievement and personal development have been recognised at Yeovil College's second annual awards ceremony.

As part of the college's festival fortnight celebrations, 30 awards were handed out to students enrolled on health, care and teacher training courses ahead of the end of term.

The award for outstanding adult learner went to Jennifer Smith for supporting her peers and securing a place in higher education to continue her studies.

An award recognising personal development was given to Thea Rendall for the determination she showed to overcome dyslexia, while the Shining Star award was handed to Kelly Merrick for being an excellent all-round student.

This year, the Nicola Baker Endeavour Cup, named after a Yeovil College student who passed away during her studies, was awarded to mature student Cathy Smith.

College staff praised Cathy's efforts in overcoming a lack of confidence operating computers to achieve A grades in all her technical certificate assignments.

Outstanding health and social care learner awards went to Kat Kambitis, 18, and Katie Rice, 17, both of Yeovil, while Zoe Wyatt, 17, also of Yeovil, picked up the inspirational health and social care learner award.

Director of health, care and teacher training Kate Hill said: "This evening was about celebrating the achievements of all of our students – part-time, full-time and aged 16 to 60.

"It can be very daunting taking that first step into education, particularly for older students who have been away from education for a while, so these students really deserve credit for what they have achieved.

"The staff nominated students for these awards and have been so impressed by this year's intake that they would probably have given an award to every single one of them if they could, but all the award winners have shown exceptional and inspirational qualities which made them stand out.

"We are delighted to have this opportunity to praise them and show them how they make our jobs worthwhile."

Other award winners were: Laura Brown, inspirational childcare learner award; Lizzie Gilbert, best practice award; Hayley Taylor, The Pam Bennett personal progression award; Halina Skarbek, Lufton Star award; Claire Vickers, Barnabas Housing Association award; Laura Harvey, endeavour award; Sam Wiltshire, MK endeavour award; Chloe Northover, dedication and achievement award; Jamie Newell, inspirational student award; Nicole Sinfield, Smartees' outstanding achievement award; Mik Gray, Kylemore inspirational adult award; Phillip Rooke, outstanding access student award; Kerry Way, dedication and achievement award; Jodie Knight, outstanding achievement award; Logan Worker, MK dedication and achievement award; Lizzie Cassidy, the Ambassador award; Sharon Kennedy, the Stretch award; Felicity Knowles, the first Nancy Harman award; Sophie McAlister, best practice award; Irene Rogers, Lufton outstanding adult learner award and Stephanie Mizrany, outstanding adult learner award.