Alex Atkins, a former student of Gower College Swansea, was short-listed for the ColegauCymru Learner of the Year Award, one of just three of those nominated to be invited to attend the ceremony at City Hall in Cardiff. Alex was on holiday at the time so was represented by her father and college Student Support Officer, Tamsyn Oates.
Alex had already received the Inspirational Student of the Year Award at the college Awards ceremony in 2013, having been nominated by Tamsyn, who described her as “a fantastic role model for others”. As well as studying on a full time Extended Diploma in Health and Social Care, Alex also cared for her parents and volunteered for several local organisations. She represented Wales at the UK Youth Parliament debate and was invited to address an audience at an International Women’s Day event. Alex was also invited to speak on behalf of Welsh young carers at the highest levels, including the Welsh Government.
Alex achieved distinctions in her Extended Diploma in Health and Social Care and is now studying for a Youth Work degree at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David. She is already employed as a Youth Worker with Ethnic Youth Support Team (EYST) and commented: “I was delighted to be selected as a finalist for this Award. I am thoroughly enjoying my degree course, whilst supporting young people to reach their potential through my role with EYST and my voluntary work.”
This was not the only Gower College Swansea interest on the evening. Second year BTEC Performing Arts students received glowing praise from Ken Skates AM, the Deputy Minister for Skills and Technology, following the performance they gave at the ColegauCymru Awards Ceremony. In a letter to the Principal on the following day he said "...the performance given by your students was of the highest standard and ensured the event was immensely successful. I would be very grateful if you could pass on my thanks and congratulations to the students and tutors, who made the awards ceremony such a memorable occasion."
David Lloyd-Jones, LAM for Creative Arts, commented: “We were delighted to receive an invitation for our students to perform at the ColegauCymru Awards. They are currently preparing for their end-of-year show, “Ever After”, a revue based on the work of Stephen Sondheim, and performed an extract from this at the ceremony.”
Performances of “Ever After” will take place on 11 and 12 June at the Dylan Thomas Theatre in Swansea.