College awards honour this year’s top students
STUDENTS from Hopwood Hall College, along with their family and friends, packed out the Middleton Arena for the college’s annual end of year FE Awards Ceremony.
Overall, 113 progress and achievement awards were given to students from 56 different courses with four students selected for the college’s highest awards honours.
Plastering student Michael Merron took home the Emerson Trust Award, an award given to students who have overcome some form of adversity and triumphed.
He said: “I have really enjoyed my time at college.
“I’m really thankful for the award, it’s really nice for my tutors to recognise my work like this.”
Media production student Karl Harris scooped the bronze star of the year award for, among many other eye catching achievements this year, helping to create the college’s promotional video.
Karl said: “When I started this course, I had no idea how to edit, use a camera and how much paper work goes in to one production, which is a lot!
“The award is a big surprise.
“But it is also proof of the effort my tutors have put into my studies.”
Business Enterprise Academy student Hasan Zaman picked up the silver star of the year award.
His tutor said: “It is important to note that, during his exceptional studies, Hasan has also been busy working outside college being involved with various community groups and agencies. He has also completed the Duke of Edinburgh to Gold level and is currently mentoring young people starting out on the D of E journey.”
The gold star of the year award, the highest award the college gives to its students, was claimed by professional cookery student, William Slater.
Speaking at the awards evening, William said: “I’m really chuffed to have been nominated.
“I really love cooking and working in the kitchen, particularly at the Hopwood Hall’s Riverside Restaurant, where I feel I have grown in confidence over the last year.”
When describing William’s credentials as a gold star of the year, his tutor Katie Allen said: “William has demonstrated an exceptional level of progress this year and has become an absolutely invaluable source of help to his lecturer, Sam Everett, in the Riverside Restaurant.”