Forth Valley College has been celebrating its 2020 prizewinners, despite the cancellation of this year’s graduation events.
The popular annual events are normally held each year at the Falkirk Town Hall and Stirling Castle, but pandemic restrictions resulted in the College having to cancel this year’s ceremonies. However, FVC was determined to press on with identifying two winners from each of its four departments and presenting them with their awards.
All the graduates from the 2019/20 academic session which was affected by the pandemic lockdown, were entered into a special 2020 Graduation booklet, which contains photos and more information about the winners.
Prizewinners from the Alloa area were Sam Hudson (34) from Tullibody who graduated with a HNC Working with Communities and won the Most Inspirational Student in the Department of Business and Communities, Jamie Fotheringham (23) from Alloa, who graduated with a HND Computing: Technical Support and won the Most Inspirational Student in the Department of Creative Industries, Hospitality and Tourism and Paulina Majerowska (26) from Sauchie, who graduated with a HNC Childhood Practice and was presented with the Most Promising Student in the Department of Care, Sport and Construction.
The two prizewinners from the Falkirk area were Heather Watson (30) who graduated with a HND Applied Biological Sciences and won Most Inspirational Student in the Department of Engineering and Science and Matthew Nimmo (37) who also graduated with a HND Applied Biological Sciences and won Most Promising Student in the Department of Engineering and Science.
The three prizewinners from the Stirling area were Aileen Fraser (39) from Bannockburn, who graduated with a HNC Working with Communities and won the Most Promising Student in the Department of Business and Communities, Steven Connell (20) also from Bannockburn who graduated with a HND Sports Coaching and Development and won Most Inspirational Student in the Department of Care, Sport and Construction and Milly Schutten (20) from Kippen, who graduated with a HND Sound Production and won Most promising Student in the Department of Creative Industries, Hospitality and Tourism.
Aileen, who works part-time at Forth Valley Recovery Community and is continuing her studies at the University of the West of Scotland, said: “It was a real honour to win. I was absolutely amazed. Knowing that the FVC lecturers took the time to nominate me for an award was a great privilege. It’s great to know that lecturers do notice and value when students go the extra mile to make their whole educational journey one that they remember for all the right reasons. When things get so manic and busy remembering the difference that is recognised really did help keep me motivated.”
Molly attended both summer schools and evening classes in Sound Design for Film at FVC, before starting a full-time HND in Sound Production in 2018. She has now progressed on to a BDes (Hons) in Sound for the Moving Image at the Glasgow School or Art said: "I feel honoured to have been chosen, as I know and have worked with so many talented and hard-working people on my course. I am thankful to the college for all their support, and excited to keep working and learning for the future."
Steven, has moved on to continue his studies in a Sports Coaching Degree at the University of the West of Scotland. He also has an additional role as Sports Coordinator for Autism Provision at St Modan’s High School in Falkirk and has accrued several hundreds of hours of coaching work and experience since starting his studies. He said: “I feel grateful to have won such a prestigious award from the college. I feel thankful that my efforts and dedication through my years at Forth Valley College have been recognised and appreciated by the lecturers within my course. I hope that my award and journey can inspire future students attending the college, to fully apply themselves within their studies, in the hope that one day they might also win this award.”
Heather, who has progressed on to complete her degree at the University of Stirling, despite having to deal with challenging personal issues throughout her studies, said: “I feel absolutely delighted to have won a FVC graduation prize, it’s been such a difficult year and to receive this recognition means so much to me.”
Matthew, who also worked as a nurse on the frontline tackling the Coronavirus pandemic has now continued his studies to complete his degree at the University of Stirling. He said: “Winning an award at the end of my final year at the college is amazing. I am so happy to be finishing up on such a high note. I have loved every minute of my studies so far and have achieved so much. I owe all the staff in the department a huge debt of gratitude for all their dedication and support over the past four years.”
Sam, who has just started a BA (Hons) course at the University of the West of Scotland, was one of the original organisers of a Community Hub which supported people during lockdown, said: “I'm surprised and honoured to have won this award. Thank you to the Working with Communities staff for allowing me the opportunity to study with them, their continued support and encouragement and for nominating me.”
Jamie, who lives with severe diplegic cerebral palsy and a hip condition which requires him to use an electric wheelchair, said: “I am very pleased to have won the Most Inspirational Student in Creative Industries, Hospitality and Tourism. I really enjoyed studying Technical Support at Forth Valley College and I am passionate about Information Technology (IT) as a result I gave my best effort while completing my coursework. I would also like to thank my lecturers for all their support during my time at college. They were a massive help to me and made the learning environment more enjoyable and were able to provide support and answer any questions I had, regarding my coursework, as well as general discussions about the IT industry.”
Paulina, who has just started work with Falkirk Council as an Early Years Officer and has achieved her qualifications, despite English being her second language, said: “I am very surprised that I have won the graduation prize. I didn’t expect such great news. I feel proud of being a part of FVC. I feel very happy about the opportunity given me at college and that my hard work is paying off. Winning the graduation prize is just summing up everything that I have managed to achieve.”
Forth Valley College Principal Dr Ken Thomson said: “We were very sad to have to cancel this year’s graduation ceremonies, but we all understand that it was necessary in the current situation. This certainly does not take anything away from this year’s prizewinners, who if anything have gone way above what is normally expected to achieve this kind of success. Everyone who graduated this year is a winner in our book and I would like to congratulate them all and wish them well for the future.
“A big well done to the prizewinners as they embark upon their new careers or continued study. They have all worked extremely hard to pass their qualifications and should rightly be very proud of their efforts. They have without a doubt been a credit to themselves and to the College. We are sure they will go on to have successful careers in whatever they choose to do.”
