News / Students awarded at Mareel ceremony
AN AWARDS ceremony for Shetland College students who completed this year’s “wide range of courses” was held at Mareel arts centre on Friday.
Almost 250 students from the isles and beyond undertook courses in business, management, education, heritage, contemporary textiles, early education and childcare, social care, computing, carpentry and joinery, accounting, art and design, and music in the last academic year.
The ceremony was attended by students and family members as well as college staff. Deputy Principal of the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) Professor Crichton Lang made the presentations.
The Shetland College HE Student of the Year award was presented to Rhea Kay from Whalsay who recently completed the university’s BA (Hons) in contemporary textiles. The award was in recognition of her “exceptional academic achievement, professional attitude and creativity.” Kay has attended the college since she was in S3 at school and has “steadily progressed in her chosen field over the years”.
The Shetland College FE student of the year is Tegan Patterson, who successfully completed an NC in Early Education and Childcare. Patterson has also made a “huge contribution” as a class representative of Highlands and Islands Students Associaton (HISA), representing Shetland at events on the mainland. Patterson is continuing her studies at Shetland College having just started the HNC Child Care and Practice course.
Chairman of the Shetland College Board councillor Peter Campbell, said: “Congratulations to all our graduates and other award recipients who have achieved success with their studies last year. We wish them every success in the future.
“Well done to all of them and thanks to the staff at Shetland College UHI for the work they put in to help everyone realise their potential.”
His sentiments were echoed by interim joint principal Willie Shannon, who said: “It is great to see the students celebrating their successes along with families and friends. We would also like to thank all the local businesses who have provided prizes this year, demonstrating our shared commitment to link courses with industry sectors”.
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Also in attendance were dean of science, health and engineering Dr Gary Campbell, HISA vice president for higher education Sorcha Kirker and chairman of the Further Education Regional Board Dr Michael Foxley. Guest speaker was Shetland Islands Council chief executive Maggie Sandison.
This year saw a continuation of industry sponsored prizes for students, with contributions from A9 Partnership; Business Gateway; RSM UK; NB Communication; Jamieson and Smith; Shetland Wool Week; Shetland Arts; Shetland Arts and Crafts; Shetland Construction Training Group; Buildbase Shetland; Greig Seafood and Gary Couper’s friends and family for the Gary Couper Memorial Shield.
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