The awards ceremony for the Barclays Wealth Student of the Year competition took place at Ballakermeen High School lecture theatre last month. Each year students from the Island’s secondary schools are put through their paces to identify the top all-round students from each school. Last year Barclays Wealth initiated a change to the structure of the competition to involve more young people and recognise students in a greater number of areas of achievement. Six students were shortlisted in the categories of Citizenship, the Arts, Academic, Sports and Endeavour and each of the students were interviewed by a panel of judges comprising of Barclays Wealth representatives. All thirty shortlisted students attended the awards ceremony where the winner of each category was announced. The five prize winners are: •The Citizenship award - Heather Booth from Castle Rushen High School •The Arts award - Catherine Wilson from Ramsey Grammar School •The Academic award - Harriet Nuttall from King Williams College •The Sports award – Laura Feely from Ballakermeen •The Endeavor award – Katy Kelly from Ballakermeen The awards were presented on the evening by Greg Ellison, Managing Director of Barclays Wealth and Eddie Teare MHK, Minister for Education and Children. All of the shortlisted students were awarded music vouchers and the five category winners will be travelling to Dusseldorf to visit the famous Christmas market. Greg Ellison said: ‘It was a real delight to meet these extraordinary young people and reward them for their outstanding efforts. We have sponsored the Student of the Year awards for many years and extending the categories last year means that a greater number of pupils have their own unique achievements recognized. I would like to say a huge well done to all the finalists. The standard of applications was outstanding and you thoroughly deserve the recognition you have received through these awards.’ Mr Teare MHK added: ‘I would like to extend my thanks to Barclays Wealth for all the investment and support they have given to young people and the school community on the Isle of Man. I was delighted to be at the awards ceremony and meet the outstanding young people who so rightly deserved to be awarded for their achievements.’ ENDS