SOME of the island’s brightest young sparks were honoured at this year’s Student of the Year awards at Ballakermeen High School.
The format has traditionally been to single out the top all-round student from each secondary school, but in 2009 sponsor Barclays Wealth instigated a change, and now nominations are accepted for achievement in five categories: citizenship, the arts, academic, sports and endeavour.
Six students were shortlisted for each category and each faced a panel of judges from Barclays Wealth in interviews. All 30 shortlisted students, along with teachers and guests, attended the awards ceremony, where the winners were revealed.
The winners in each category were:- The Citizenship award: Moira Pain from Queen Elizabeth II High School; The Arts Award:Chloe Shimmin from Ballakermeen High School; The Academic Award: Alison Ogden from St Ninian’s; The Sports Award: James Quayle from Queen Elizabeth II High School; and The Endeavour Award: Jack Hedges from Ramsey Grammar School.
Barclays Wealth managing director Simon Scott and Minister for Education and Children Peter Karran MHK presented each shortlisted student with gift vouchers, and the five winners will receive a trip to Ghent in Belgium to visit the famous Christmas market there.
There was an additional award presented as part of the endeavour category: Jade Quirk from Queen Elizabeth II High School was unable to attend the interviews to be shortlisted, but her written report so impressed the judges that they elected to recognise her exceptional effort by awarding her an iPad2.
Mr Scott said: ‘It was a real delight to meet these extraordinary young people and reward them for their outstanding efforts. Extending the categories means that a greater number of pupils have their own unique achievements recognized.’
He went on: ‘I would like to say a huge “well done” to all the finalists. The standard of applications was outstanding and you thoroughly deserve the recognition you have received through these awards.’
Mr Karran MHK added: ‘I would like to extend my thanks to Barclays Wealth for the investment and support they have given to young people on the Isle of Man.
‘I was delighted to meet the outstanding young people who so rightly deserved to be rewarded for their achievements.’