HARD work and determination paid off for these York students whose achievements have been celebrated at a special awards evening.

York College joined in the national VQ Day celebrations by hosting a Vocational Qualification Student Of The Year Awards event to recognise the efforts of individuals who each received a Student Of The Year certificate and a voucher.

Dr Alison Birkinshaw, principal of York College, said: “National VQ Day is celebrated on June 20, when vocational qualifications are celebrated all over the country. It is important to celebrate the success of our vocational students and this event allows us to give our students the recognition they deserve.”

Liam Evans-Ford, community producer for the York Mystery Plays, gave a keynote address about the importance of vocational skills which have been showcased this year through the college’s involvement in the forthcoming Mystery Plays.

VQ students of the year 2012

Art & Design

Joanna Lew, Level 1 and 2 in art, design & craft; Abigail Harding, national diploma art & design; Rose Agar, diploma in foundation studies

Business and Professional Studies

Ashley McPherson, business level 2; Aimee Marshall, business level 3; Tom Gatenby, business & administration

Child Studies

Lauren Fox, level 3 diploma for the children and young peoples workforce; Anne Marie Triffitt, diploma in childcare and education level 3; Katherine Lucy Blackburn, national diploma in children’s care learning and development level 3

Construction

Matthew Shaw, ful-time carpentry & joinery; Sam Atton, based learning level 2 apprentice in bricklaying; Nathan Howcroft, work-based learning level 3 apprentice in bricklaying

Engineering

Dominic Pulleyn, work-based learning in engineering; Daniel Bailey, ful-time in engineering; Francesca Igoe best endeavour in engineering

IT & Computing

Joanne Gray, BTEC diploma IT users level 1; Darrell Hill, BTEC diploma IT users level 2; Michael Reid, BTEC level 3 extended diploma in IT

Media & Performance

James Baxter, performing arts; William Oseland, music; Thomas Chidlow, media science; Dominique Docker, extended diploma applied science year 1; Matthew Drysdale, extended diploma applied science year 2

Hair, Beauty & Holistic Therapies

Emma-Rose Bland, work-based learning NVQ hairdressing level 2; Phillipa Hemingway, diploma in beauty therapy level 3; Tessa Young, under 16s young apprenticeship programme

Health & Social Care

Anastasia Konstantatos, health & social care level 2; Victoria Minister, extended diploma health & social care, year 1; Daniel Booth, extended diploma health & social care level 3 Year 2

Hospitality & Tourism

Clare Vernon, travel & tourism; Alexander Houlgate, part-time hospitality; Luke Cockerill, hospitality

Sport & Public Services

William Johnson, Sport Science; Joshua White, extended diploma in sport; Ben Porter, public services

Cross College Award

Megan Birch volunteer of the year

Enterprise Group Awards

Matthew Addinall, Nicole Barrass, Emma Coulson, Katie James, Daniel Kilduff, Isabelle McGahan, Nicole Van-Minnen, Billy Hobson, George Hambretch, Jonathan McDonald, Liam Newell, Samuel Sellers, Daniel Thackray, Rosie Thackway Dickinson, Harry Watson.