Sonny beats cancer to make the grade
AN Alder Grange student has overcome leukaemia to shine in his Levels.
Sonny Ashworth was diagnosed with the illness during Year 11 and had to re-sit the year before beginning his A Levels after he underwent a bone marrow transplant from his younger brother Spencer.
The 18-year-old picked up an A in English Literature, B in English Language, C in History and an A* in his Extended Project Qualification at A Level.
After undergoing treatment Sonny overcame the illness and was given the all clear so he could return to college and put his head down.
Sonny said: “I am really pleased with my results and I’m hoping to get into the University of Manchester to study either English Literature or American Studies. It’s been a tough couple of years, but I have the best family, friends and teachers I could ask for. I want to be a journalist or I’d like to go into publishing, I love to write.”
Fabia Ashworth, Sonny’s mum, said: “I am really proud of him, I couldn’t be prouder.”
Jo Griffiths, Head of School, said: “Sonny is an absolute credit to us. He has worked so hard and overcome so much, we will really miss him.”
Alder Grange is celebrating after students achieved a 100 per cent pass rate in 20 subjects this year – 13 A Level and seven Vocational subjects.
A baker’s son put the icing on the cake with an A* in Maths and an A in Further Maths. Nick Billington also added a B in Chemistry to his impressive haul of results. Nick, 18, of Crawshawbooth, is now heading to study Maths at Loughborough University. He said: “I’m feeling really good right now. I love maths and find it both intriguing and a lot of fun. The best thing about it is that what- ever the problem there is always an answer. It’s just a case of working it out. I’m not sure what I want to do in the long run but it will definitely involve working with maths.”
Nick works part-time for his baker dad Andrew, who runs Billingtons Outside Catering in Haslingden. He added: “I’m not sure whether he will bake me a special celebration cake or not.”
A student inspired by the Tomorrow’s Teachers programme at Alder Grange is well on his way to achieving his teaching ambitions.
Toby Straccia, 18, of Newchurch, earned a BTEC distinction in IT, a B in his Extended Project and added A Level Psychology and BTEC Sport to his haul of qualifications. The results have earned him a place at the University of Cumbria in Lancaster to study Primary Education with qualified teacher status.
Toby said: “I like the idea of not doing the same thing every day and I find in a school every day is different. I have wanted to be a teacher for a while but I decided for definite it was the career I wanted to follow when I took part in the Tomorrow’s Teachers programme and I would like to thank Deputy Headteacher Mr Simon Varley who runs the programme.”
Toby has already carried out voluntary work experience at St Peter’s RC Primary, Newchurch and Gisburn Primary School. Film production student
Louis Fuller is clearly focused on where his career his heading.
Louis, 18, already runs his own company LAF Media and has commissions to produce promotional videos for Ski Rossendale. He achieved two BTEC Distinctions and Merits in Creative Media and ICT.
Louis, of Loveclough, said: “I’ve always had an interest in cameras and filming bits and bobs. I’ve already produced a video for Ski Rossendale and they have agreed a contract to do six more. I’m also doing a music video for an up-andcoming solo recording artist.”
Along the way Louis has had help from fellow Alder Grange media student Lewis Hillyer. Cameron Rhodes is set to become a star after achieving stars in his A Level results.
The 18-year-old picked up a Distinction in BTEC Performing Arts, a B in A Level English Literature and a C in A Level Drama.
Cameron wrote, directed and starred in a musical at school called Marilyn this year. The production earned him an A* in his Extended Project Qualification.
The budding musical performer is heading to Emil Dale’s School of Performing Arts in Hitchin, Hertfordshire in September to do a course in Musical Theatre. He said: “I want to gain more training and experience this year and have managed to get onto a brilliant course at Emil Dale which I am really excited about. Then I can apply to Theatre School and go for my dream of being on the West End stage. My mum and dad have both told me how proud they are, my mum said I had done really well and deserved it after all the hard work I have put in.”
Josh Emmot has scored the perfect goal with his scholarship to a Scottish university.
Josh’s football skills have earned him a scholarship at Stirling University to study a degree in Sports Psychology, and he has already been training with the rest of the Stirling football team this summer.
The 18-year-old picked up three C’s in Psychology, Law and Sociology as well as an A* in his Extended Project Qualification on A Level results day.
He said: “I’m trying to keep my options open by combining my two favourite subjects, Sports and Psychology. I want to find a career that involves both areas and I’m really excited about going to Stirling.”
“I can’t wait to go and tell my parents how I’ve done, they are going to be so proud!”
A total of 98 per cent of students achieved two or more A Level equivalent passes. Headteacher David Hampson said: “We are delighted with these results and what this group of students have achieved, I am really proud of what they have achieved.
“The increased percentage of A and A* grades at A Level is particularly pleasing. They are a truly talented group who can be rightly proud of what they have accomplished. Importantly it looks like most will get to the university of their choice. Alder Grange has an inclusive ethos, opening its doors wide to students from across Rossendale of all abilities and our focus has been on helping each individual achieve their personal best.”