2nd July 2018
Two hundred people packed out Barking & Dagenham College?s conference centre on Friday 22nd June to award their top students.
The College’s annual Excellence Awards celebrate the special achievements of students from each different subject area. For example, 18 year old Cynthia Adebayo Romford was named ‘Young College Student of the Year’, and was delighted, saying it was “unexpected.” She was even more surprised when, towards the end of the ceremony; she found out that she was also one of two runners up for Student of the Year. “I still can’t believe it. It’s amazing that I’ve been awarded for hard work.”
18 year old Jephta Asamoah, who is deaf, was named overall Student of the Year. With the support of staff and tutors at the College, Jephta has excelled; in May this year he was named the Leidos & Career Ready UK Student of the Year, beating thousands of students across the UK to receive the award. In September he’ll be heading to Lancaster University to study Politics.
On receiving his award from the College’s Principal and CEO Yvonne Kelly, he said: “Thank you! It’s been a crazy two years, a fantastic journey. The support from teachers has been outstanding. I wish you all good luck for the future.”
Sadia Farooq, 18 from Dagenham and Yousra Arif, 24 from East Ham were both awarded for their services to the College as student ambassadors. Their roles include representing the College at external and internal events such as job fairs and open days. Winner of the award Sadia said; “I wasn’t expecting it, it feels good!” and runner up Yousra thanked her fellow ambassadors and said “It’s an honour to get the award.”
19 year old Riley Marks from Romford was the runner up for the Art & Design Award and attended the ceremony with his proud teacher Hayley Young.
Amy Collins, 19, who studies hairdressing at The Technical Skills Academy in Barking won the award for Best Improved Hairdressing; as part of her studies, hardworking Amy does work experience in the College’s ‘Headjogs’ salon in Ilford every Sunday.
