College honours its outstanding students from across West Suffolk

Students from across the Newmarket area were honoured last week for their exceptional work at West Suffolk College’s annual celebration of achievement gala dinner.

Held in St Edmundsbury Cathedral, the awards were presented by Shaun Whiter, of Burrough Green, who lost both his legs in a hit and run incident two years ago, but told the audience that had not stopped him now training to compete in the Paralympics.

“It’s the why not the how you need to think about. Why do you want to do something, the how will then follow. Love life, and go for it. You have all done so brilliantly being prize winners and now you can go on and do anything you want,” said Shaun.

Local students receiving awards were Jessica Osbourne of Soham (Outstanding Art and Design student); Cameron Palmer of Wickhambrook (Outstanding Construction Crafts apprentice ); Parris White of Burwell (Outstanding Hospitality and Catering apprentice); James Dynia of Newmarket (Outstanding Conservatoire (EAST) student (music); Zoe Cole of Mildenhall (Outstanding Conservatoire (EAST) student (supporting technologies); Emily King of Wickhambrook (Outstanding Automotive student); Siany Brooks of Soham (Outstanding Proactive Education student) and Charlotte Jackson of Newmarket, who was named the Inspirational Hairdressing Student of the Year.

According to her citation, 18-year-old Charlotte achieved her hairdressing qualification ‘showing the character traits that every student in the college is targeted to acquire’. Coming from the School of Supported Learning, her dream of becoming a hairdresser began two years ago when she learned foundation techniques before this academic year enrolling onto the L2 VRQ in Ladies Hairdressing completing her qualification earlier than some. She will now progress on to the Supported Internship programme which provide the support and guidance to help her find a job.

James Dynia wants to be a lighting designer and has got a place at the Backstage Academy in Yorkshire, one of the leaders in its field, to study live event production. The 17- year-old first got involved with lighting through school dance shows and has already set up his own company.

His course director, Joe Stocking, said: “I can always rely on James 100 per cent, not only is he hard working, reliable and focused, he is a lovely chap with a great sense of humor. The college will really miss him next year.”