Finalists, teachers and invited guests joined at Ballakermeen High School last month for the awards ceremony for the Barclays Wealth Student of the Year competition. Each year students from the Island’s secondary schools are put through their paces to identify the top all-round students from each school. In 2009 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 – Moira Pain from Queen Elizabeth II High School • The Arts award – Chloe Shimmin from Ballakermeen High School • The Academic award – Alison Ogden from St Ninian’s • The Sports award – James Quayle from Queen Elizabeth II High School • The Endeavor award – Jack Hedges from Ramsey Grammar School In addition to the Endeavor award the panel of judges wanted to recognise one more student who was unfortunately unable to present during the interviews but impressed the judges with her written report. Jade Quirk from Queen Elizabeth II High School was awarded an iPad2 for her exceptional achievement. The awards were presented on the evening by Simon Scott, Managing Director of Barclays Wealth and Peter Karran MHK, Minister for Education and Children. All of the shortlisted students were awarded gift vouchers and the five category winners will be travelling to Ghent to visit the famous Christmas market. Simon Scott, Managing Director, Barclays Wealth 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 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 Karran MHK added: ‘I would like to extend my thanks to Barclays Wealth for 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