2015 awards recognise outstanding student achievement
Outstanding students have been honoured at the Gower College Swansea 2015 Annual Awards ceremony.
The awards were handed out at the Liberty Stadium, with recipients representing every aspect of college life from art, sport and engineering to enterprise, languages and hospitality.
Swansea Sound DJ Kevin Johns MBE once again hosted the evening, where students were honoured for their achievements both academic and personal.
He was joined by guest speaker was Lowri Morgan, BAFTA and multi award-winning TV presenter, adventurer and world class ultra endurance marathon runner.
“This event seeks to celebrate students’ achievements as well as recognise everyone who played a role in their success,” says Principal Mark Jones. “Perhaps more importantly, the annual awards highlights these stories in the hope that they will inspire others who are just embarking on their educational journeys - to show them what can be achieved with the right commitment, dedication and support from the college.”
Among the winners were: Anthony Matsena who, despite offers from four universities to study engineering, has chosen to follow his heart and take up a place at the London School of Contemporary Dance; Curtis Cana, who has volunteered as a youth worker for many years and who aims to set up a youth club and recording studio after university; Laura John, who volunteers to support vulnerable children and adults within the community, helping them back into education or employment; and Matthew Aubrey, who has recently signed a four year development contract with the Ospreys.
After great deliberation, the winner of the overall Inspirational Student of the Year award was named as Annie Fox, who juggles her very demanding Foundation Diploma Art and Design course with a part time job and her duties as a young carer.
For her Final Major Project, Annie designed a collection of functional and aesthetically beautiful clothes for people with multiple sclerosis. She also requested that any proceeds raised from the selling of programmes and artwork at the Summer Exhibition be donated to the MS Society. Annie has now been offered a place at the prestigious Ravensbourne College of Art and Design.
The event was also a practical showcase for student talent, with entertainment being provided by Level 3 Performing Arts students and AS / A Level Music students. Staff and students from the Broadway Hair, Beauty and Holistics Centre demonstrated their hair and make-up skills on the night and Level 3 Technical Theatre students provided the set and sound. The elaborate table decorations were created by Level 3 Professional Food Service student Kewalin Bugg.
ENDS
Gower College Swansea gratefully acknowledges its sponsors for the 2015 Annual Student Awards: First Cymru; University of Wales Trinity Saint David; South Wales Evening Post; WJEC; Wella Professionals; Harcourt Colour Print; The Wave; Swansea Sound; THTF Global; Mark Jones; Academi Wales; The Welsh Institute of Emergency and Unscheduled Care at Swansea University; Hoowla; Blake Morgan; Vibe Video Production; South Wales Transport and Oakleigh House.
The full list of 2015 Students of the Year:
Creative Arts – Anthony Matsena
Visual Arts – Annie Fox
ABE/ESOL – Danuta Kolodziej
Humanities and Languages – Elliot Naylor
Maths, Science and Social Science – Catrin Lawrence
Technology – Chloe Scott
Health and Care – Curtis Cana
Business – Sebastian Cieslak
Hair and Beauty – Magda Grabowska
Hospitality, Travel and Tourism – Michael Davies
Independent Living Skills – Maciej Kowalski
Sport and Public Services – Toni-Lee Lambert
Engineering – Mariusz Gawarecki
GCS Training – Amanda Coxon
Apprentice – Dylan Charles
Enterprise – Rhys Cozens
International – Po Shao (Andy) Cheng
Welsh Language – Katherine Rees
14-16 – Chloe Morgan
Adult Learner – Laura John
Higher Education / Access – Samantha Alexis
Outstanding Sports Achievement – Matthew Aubrey
Most Inspirational Student of the Year – Annie Fox
Photos: Steve Phillips