Inspirational students step into the spotlight

Outstanding students took a bow as they were honoured for their inspiring achievements at a glittering awards ceremony in Wolverhampton.

Around 150 people including proud parents, lecturers and sponsors packed into the City of Wolverhampton College's Construction and Innovation Centre for the annual Student of the Year evening.

The college was presenting accolades to 25 of its 19,000 students, with former Wolverhampton Wanderers goalkeeper Matt Murray selected to hand over most of the prizes.

Many of the students have had to overcome difficulties and challenges including deprivation, disability and combining their education with bringing up a family.

The most prestigious award of the night – the Graham Award, sponsored by the Express & Star – went to mother-of-three Sulita Devi, who hopes to go on to university and a career helping others as a probation officer.

The 37-year-old, who suffers from dyslexia, has made great strides since enduring a nervous beginning at the college.

After being presented with the award Sulita, whose children are 19, 12 and five, said: "I can't believe it. I never thought for a second I was going to win."I was a mess when I came to college, I can't believe how much I've changed," Sulita, of Tettenhall Wood, added.

Other award winners included Sandra Hay, who works in the hair academy salon at the college despite being in constant pain with a debilitating illness. A mature student, she enrolled after bringing up her five children.

Guest of honour Murray, now an ambassador for the Wolves Community Trust, told the successful students to "enjoy the moment," adding: "Don't ever accept good over best."

Principal and chief executive Ian Millard, addressing last night's ceremony, said: "It's a time of year when we assess where we are and look to the future.

"There's no doubt as to how difficult things are at the moment.

"The austerity programme is affecting the college, we see people losing their jobs.

"In the words of the group Coldplay: 'Nobody said it was easy, no-one ever said it would be so hard'.

"But in the college community I see an antidote to the worrying situation we are in.

"In our students, in our award winners, they show an audacity of hope which Barack Obama speaks of.

"They show that there are definitely better times ahead."

The full list of award winners

Charlie Boon – Employer Engagement – Hairdressing Apprentice

Kate Booth – C&G/ILEX Legal Secretaries Certificate Level 3

Adrian Brighton – A Levels

Ruquyyah Chohan – Science and Maths

Jordan Dearn – Computing Level 3 BTEC

Thomas Falco – BTEC National Business Level 3

Stan Fencott – Manufacture Bakery Level 3

Lisa Frost – NVQ Level 2 Spa Therapy

Sandra Hay – Hairdressing Diploma Level 2

Helen Holmes – Level 3 Floristry Diploma

Jade Lees – Uniformed Public Services Course

Sarah Lloyd – Painting and Decorating

Linford Mafukidze – Connect

Monique Mehra – Business and Administration Level 1 and 2

Jamie Parker – Construction Operatives Level 2

Jonathan Price – BTEC Extended Diploma in Music Technology Level 3

Georgina Rakic – NVQ Level 2 Spa Therapy

Nicholas Rose – Fabrication and Welding Certificate Level 3

Zubeyr Hamad – ITQ Level 2 Certificate in IT

Soraya Pinnock – Prince's Trust, Jim Parker Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Community

Sulita Devi – Access to Further Education, John McHugh Memorial Award

Heather Phillips – Diploma Level 1 Carpentry and Joinery, Gordon Mason Memorial Award

Anil Sharma – Certificate of Adult Literacy, Gilbert Mould Memorial Award

Daniel Nicholls – Prince's Trust, West Midlands Police Award for Positive Citizenship

Katy Webb – PX2, The Pacific Institute PX2 Award

Alex Abdel–Aal – Employer of the Year Award