Top grades for former AHS pupil

AN ANDERSON High School pupil has been named as the top school student in Scotland this year.

Craig Nicolson, from Lerwick, won the prestigious individual Pride O’ Worth title at the Star Awards 2012 held by the SQA, the country’s exam authority, in Glasgow on Friday night.

He also took home the School Candidate of the Year award ahead of pupils from Glasgow, Bellshill and Uddingtson.

Nicolson passed an International Baccalaureate in science with distinction in his sixth and final year at the Lerwick high school, which ended in June, and is now studying medicine at the University of Edinburgh.

His parents Yvonne, a senior nurse, and John, who works for BP at Sullom Voe, live at Upper Sound.

As well as his academic achievements, the awards recognised his volunteering work at the Gilbert Bain Hospital in Lerwick.

The 18-year old said: “I was completely stunned. I did not think I would win. I just thought it was great to have been shortlisted, that was a big achievement in itself.

“I was in a state of shock for the rest of the night. I can remember talking to lots of people and everybody congratulating me but I can’t remember what I said.”

Nicolson was nominated for the awards by Anderson High principal teacher of chemistry teacher Marion Yeaman, who attended the ceremony, hosted by Kaye Adams at Anniesland College.

She said: “I just think Craig is outstanding, but he does things with a quiet humility.

“He not only has the academic side but very much gets the people side of things. He is very sensitive to the people around him and often facilitates other people.”

Nicolson received his Pride O’Worth award from Dr Janet Brown, chief executive of the SQA.