“Absolutely shocked!” … The reaction of IT student Adam Cardew when he heard his name announced as the College of West Anglia’s overall Student of the Year for 2016. The college’s senior management team awarded the overall Student of the Year Award for 2016 to Adam for his persistent personal and vocational improvement at every point of his education and his ever-present “can do” attitude. Still grinning from ear-to-ear, even after the ceremony had drawn to a close, Adam said: “I couldn’t believe it! I really didn’t see it coming at all, my heart was pounding. Everyone receiving awards tonight was a deserving winner. Thank you to everyone who has supported me and a big thank you to the senior management team as well.” Adam, 20, from Snettisham, has been a computing student at the college for four years and is now seeking a job in the IT industry. The beaming smile on his face as he walked on stage to collect his award summed up the atmosphere in the Alive Corn Exchange, King’s Lynn. An overwhelming sense of pride was felt by all in attendance for every one of the students who walked on stage to collect their awards and be recognised for their achievements. Unlike the usual style of an academic awards ceremony, these awards highlighted the inspiration and dedication of those who may not have always been top of the class, but always gave it their all. When Adam started college in 2012 on a level 1 Diploma in IT course, partly as a result of having Asperger’s syndrome, he lacked confidence and was very dependent on his tutors and Learning Support Officers for support. However, over the past four years, he has steadily developed a wealth of confidence, social skills, and technical skills and has become confident in his abilities; so much so that he has been supporting tutors in their Level 1 and 2 classes. His course director says he can honestly say that he has not seen a student make as much progress as Adam in his time as a lecturer. Students dressed to the nines on Wednesday 29 June, to celebrate academic and personal achievement at the awards ceremony, held at the Alive Corn Exchange, King’s Lynn. Those in attendance were recognised for their hard work and commitment in numerous subject areas and special awards were given for personal accomplishments and work in the community. The ceremony was hosted by media studies lecturer James Fox and recognised learners from all college campuses including King’s Lynn, the Sports campus at Lynnsport, Wisbech and Cambridge. The audience consisted of finalists, guests, dignitaries, staff and governors. For each category, a short video citation of all the finalists was played before the winners and runners up were announced. CWA Principal David Pomfret expressed his pride and gratitude to all for the achievements of the last 12 months. He said: “These awards are always a personal highlight of the year. I would like to thank all the families, friends and employers who have come to celebrate with the students, for supporting and encouraging these young people during their studies at CWA. “I would also like to thank those staff and tutors who have enabled students to reach their potential and the college governors for their unstinting support.” Mr Pomfret also spoke of students’ successes in a range of external competitions such as the National Apprenticeship Awards where Ashleigh Everitt was highly commended, at events such as the annual national uniformed services competition where CWA students excelled as best in the country, and at the WorldSkills finals in Birmingham, where media students brought home the silver and bronze for Video Moving Image. He highlighted the continual improvements to CWA’s campuses, including recent developments at the Wisbech campus and the expansion of teaching facilities at the King’s Lynn campus with the upcoming opening of the University Centre West Anglia, which will home a range of degree courses from September. To echo the words of Adam Cardew, everyone in attendance was a deserving winner of their category. Other notable winners were Lauren Lee, winner of the serving the community award. Alongside her five day a week commitment to the level 3 Childhood studies course, Lauren also volunteers at the Kandoo club, which enables children with disabilities to enjoy a wide range of sports and activities. Lauren has been working with the Kandoo club in King’s Lynn since she was 13 years of age. She hopes to get a job supporting children with disabilities in the future and her tutor hopes that being nominated for this award will encourage her to pursue her ambition.  --  Full list of award winners and runners up: Business, Humanities, Science & Computing sponsored by Kenneth Bush Greta Urbonaite Adam Cardew Liam Woodbridge   Winner: Adam Cardew   Outstanding Performance in Maths or English sponsored by The College of West Anglia Faye Lambert Roksana Drobinoga Paul Angold   Winner: Paul Angold   Foundation Studies sponsored by Alive Leisure Nathan Redworth Ashleigh Bottomley Kelsey Buttery   Winner: Nathan Redworth   Creative Arts sponsored by Your Local Paper Palma Howlett Kieron Williams Charlie Preston   Winner: Kieron Williams   Sport, Public & Caring Services sponsored by Double G Clothing Jack McAllister Lauren Johns Ryan Rumsey   Winner: Jack McAllister   Apprenticeships sponsored by Pinguin Foods UK ltd Jake Seekings Megan Nurse Sadie Cooper   Winner: Megan Nurse   Technology sponsored by @one Alliance Callum Ogden Jonathan Cox Baqi Safarzada   Winner: Callum Ogden   Land-based Studies sponsored by Village Vet Kodie Lawrence – staff interview George Mair Hannah Moore   Winner: Hannah Moore   Serving the Community sponsored by Leslie Almond Ross Bennington Lauren Lee Reena Black   Winner: Lauren Lee   Personal Achievement sponsored by Lloyds Bank Larissa Merritt Shahna Walter Joanna Taylor   Winner: Shahna Walter   College of West Anglia Student of the Year 2016   Winner: Adam Cardew