Sheffield College students who have shown exceptional dedication to their studies this academic year have been recognised at an annual awards ceremony.
The Student Celebration Awards 2021 focussed on the achievements of vocational and academic students and comprised 15 categories.
Around 200 guests, including students and their families as well as college staff and governors, attended the event held online on June 24th, 2021.
Angela Foulkes, chief executive and principal, The Sheffield College, said: “Our award winning students and nominees have shown incredible commitment and determination in the face of considerable challenges and achieved more than they thought was possible.”
She added: “I could not be prouder of our students, particularly given the additional impact of the coronavirus pandemic, and wish them every success as they go further in their education and careers.”
This year’s awards winners are:
- Creative and Design Student of the Year – Jayne Palmer
- Engineering, Construction and Technology Student of the Year – Bradley Denton
- Health and Science Student of the Year – Lodmilla Khalil
- Animal Care, Land-based, Sport, Protective Services and Business Student of the Year – Bilaal Ali
- Higher Education and Academic Studies Student of the Year – Kieran Williams
- English and Maths Student of the Year – Conor Pass
- Inclusion Student of the Year – Brandan Gray
- Employer Skills Academy Recognition Award – Tshibangu (Isaac) Mukendi
- 16-18 Achievement Award – Ethan Mawer
- Higher Education Achievement Award – Harriet Massey
- Adult Achievement Award – Christopher Barnard
- Apprenticeship Award – Liam Hayes
- Students’ Union Choice Award – Demi-Leigh Lowe
- Outstanding Achievement Award – Rebecca Harrison
- Chair of Governors’ Choice Award – Lodmilla Khalil
Lodmilla Khalil, 22, missed out on education in her native Syria from the age of 12 to 18 due to the conflict there. When she arrived in the UK, she had no qualifications. Since moving to Sheffield with her family, Lodmilla has completed ESOL courses at The Sheffield College and achieved GCSE English and Maths.
She has also just completed a BTEC Extended Diploma in Applied Science at Level 3 and now plans to study a Degree in Pharmacy at the University of Huddersfield – one of four university offers that Lodmilla currently holds.
On her extraordinary educational journey and winning both the Health and Science Student of the Year Award and the Chair of Governors’ Choice Award, Lodmilla said: “I am over the moon about winning these awards. It feels as though all the hard work has paid off. My mum attended the online ceremony too. She was crying when my name was called.
“Like everyone else, I found it tough studying during the pandemic. But it’s important to remember that the difficult times eventually pass. You have to look to the future, find a way to stay motivated and keep trying to do the best that you can.”
Tshibangu Mukendi, 44, has completed the Start Up Business Hub programme, that supports entrepreneurial students with their business ideas, and is backed by the College’s Sheffield Chamber of Commerce Business and Enterprise Academy.
Tshibangu, who won the Employer Skills Academy Recognition Award, said: “I feel very humbled to have received this award. I have learnt new skills that have improved my knowledge about entrepreneurship, enhanced my vision of self-employment and helped me to believe more in myself.”
He added: “I would like to express my profound gratitude to The Sheffield College for their impressive dedication to organising valuable sessions where they invite speakers including successful entrepreneurs whose experiences are inspirational. I would also like to thank Steve Manley for his brilliant idea of creating this platform that is motivating young people to build confidence to become entrepreneurs.”
