A PROMISING Ukrainian student at York College has been named as this year’s recipient of the Caroline’s Rainbow Foundation Psychology prize.

The annual award is given in memory of Caroline Stuttle, the York student who was murdered in 2002 during a gap year in Australia.

This year, 18-year-old Olga Loza has been recognised for the determination which recently saw her awarded a place at St Andrew’s University to study psychology.

Arriving in York two years ago, Olga studied psychology, English literature, French, Spanish, maths and further Maths at A-level.

She said: “I am very surprised and excited to be selected for this award.

“I feel very proud and I also have a sense of responsibility in accepting it.

“I came to the UK to get a better education and I have very much enjoyed studying at York College.”

Her tutor, Peter Fenton, said Olga was one of the best students he had ever taught.

He said: “For a student who has English as a second language, her writing is consistently faultless, and regularly she produces work of a standard that surpasses the level expected at A-level.

“She is a polite and enthusiastic student who has demonstrated a passion for psychology and I have no doubt that she will do very well in anything she puts her mind to in the future.

“She has been a pleasure to teach and is a very worthy winner of this award.”

The award is intended to fund promising psychology students through their studies at university.

Caroline had set her heart on a career in psychology when she was murdered at the age of 19.

Her mother, Marjorie Marks-Stuttle, set up Caroline’s Rainbow Foundation, which provides information and safety advice for young travellers.

She said: “Just like Olga, my daughter had a love of psychology.

“I am pleased to be able to present this award on behalf of Caroline’s Rainbow Foundation, which in some small way will enable Olga to pursue a degree in the subject.”