Talented students shine on glittering awards night
BRIDGEND College has celebrated the achievements of its students with the 2018 Annual Awards Ceremony, at the town’s Best Western Heronston Hotel.
It was an evening to celebrate the efforts of students from the 2017-2018 academic year and to recognise everyone who has played a role in their success such as parents, guardians, family and of course, the College staff.
In addition to the many award sponsors, the college was delighted that the Sony UK Technol- ogy Centre based at, Pencoed was the main event sponsor yet again, along with being sponsor of the Award for Learner of the Year in Sport.
The College welcomed Carwyn Jones, First Minister for Wales and local AM to the ceremony, who congratulated and praised the learners on their wonderful success.
Of the 23 learners receiving highly regarded departmental awards, two learners also achieved additional awards which were announced on the night. Jessica Roach, learner of the year in construction received the award for commitment to study while Ben Harries, winner of the art, design and media award received the overall college learner of the Year Award.
At 26, Jessica is the only female studying on the full time level one diploma in plumbing at Bridgend College.
While Ben has come a long way with his studies since leaving school.
Ben commended the college by saying, “The support and motivation I’ve received from the College is what has got me to where I am today and I would like to thank all the staff for this.”
Jessica’s tutor said that she is “one of the highest performing learners on her course and has proved to be an inspiration to her peers at the college.”
This is a terrific achievement for both learners, both being described by their tutors as exceptional students who have achieved so much in the past year. Jessica now hopes to open her own plumbing business in the near future and Ben will begin a degree in photography and video at Ulster University this September.
Learners from the college’s performing arts department opened the event with a song from their summer production of Legally Blonde. They closed it with a rendition of This Is Me from The Greatest Showman.