‘Inspirational’ youngsters receive awards

Pupils from Exmouth Community College have been recognised at an awards evening with a difference, rewarding their qualities as people.

The awards were handed out by the ICE Project, part of Open Door Exmouth, which said the ceremony was the first of its kind to recognise students not for academia or sports but for personal qualities like kindness, perseverance and compassion.

In total, 21 pupils from the college, who had been nominated by staff, were presented with trophies by college principal Tony Alexander and given goodie bags.

Among them was Griffin Howard, nominated after a heroic battle with cancer for his consistently positive attitude to school, and Tom Nicholas, described as ‘willing to help anyone’.

Also nominated were Maria Bevan, described as ‘a model big sister’ after her younger sister joined the college, and Callum Smith, nominated for handling several tough challenges with ‘stoicism, maturity and determination’.

Also receiving awards at the evening were Kara Lomas, Antonia Lea, Leo Waller, Lewis Escott, Phillippa Carnall, Sacha Boneham, Kieran Manning, Jade Boneham, Damien Lis, Rhiannon Prosser, Alycia Carnall, Elijah Gates, Jack-Mitchell Shaw, Zoe Howarth, Greg Medlock, Keenan Delve and Victoria Lee.

Jenna Burnett, leader of the ICE Project, said: “The evening was a great success and very moving as we heard all the reasons why the young people were nominated.

“Hopefully, we can make this an annual event so that more and more inspirational young people can be recognised.”