Three students from Estover have been honoured at the City College Plymouth Student of the Year Awards ceremony.
They were among more than a dozen students whose awe-inspiring stories were shared with family friends and lecturers at the special ceremony.
They included a teenager who battled through personal tragedies to pick up a total of three top honours and a 51-year-old woman who won the Business Student of the Year Award.
Eighteen-year-old Amber Jefferis was the recipient of three awards – the Governors’ Award the Endeavour Award sponsored by Babcock and the Automotive Student of the Year Award.
Amber was nominated by lecturer Tony Woodward for showing ‘what can be achieved under adverse circumstances’. Having joined the college on a level 1 course, Amber worked tirelessly to further her knowledge and skills and has now secured a highly sought-after apprenticeship.
Tony added:
“Sadly both of Amber’s parents died just a few weeks apart whilst she was studying for her level 2 diploma, but despite the personal tragedies that she has faced at such a young age, she has still achieved so much and shows huge promise for the future.”
Paul Andrews, Babcock’s apprentice development lead, said:
“Amber is an impressive young woman who has already faced so many challenges. Despite terrible grief, she has not lost sight of her goals and any employer will be lucky to have Amber on their team.”
Chairman of the Governors, Richard Stevens, added:
“It was difficult to select an individual winner but the strength of character and determination Amber has shown makes her the most worthy of winners.”
Sharon Tucker, 51, was named the Business Student of the Year. During her time at the college, Sharon has shone through to demonstrate a true love of learning. Lecturer Beth Symons said:
“Sharon has inspired me to want to be a better lecturer due to her positivity, her enthusiastic approach to her assignments, and the impressive attitude she has shown throughout her time here.”
Another teenager from Estover 17-year-old Ebony Marchant, won the Care Student of the Year Award.
Ebony shows great promise as a childcare professional and is loved by the children and staff wherever she goes. She is a source of support to her course mates and despite a health condition sometimes forcing her to be absent, she has never fallen behind and works twice as hard to keep up.
Lecturer Kath Norris said:
“As a department, we are all really proud of Ebony and we hope Ebony is proud of herself.”
