STUDENTS celebrated at the Isle campus in Wisbech of the College of West Anglia as winners were announced at their annual awards ceremony. The ceremony was to honour and celebrate the success of its students, said a college spokesman. Students were no

STUDENTS celebrated at the Isle campus in Wisbech of the College of West Anglia as winners were announced at their annual awards ceremony.

"The ceremony was to honour and celebrate the success of its students," said a college spokesman.

Students were nominated by lecturers for the 'student of the year' award in the different curriculum areas and overall there were 34 of these awards.

In addition two were recognised by being awarded the Leslie Almond award for commitment, both their contribution to the local Fenland community whilst studying at the college. They were Sam Raines and Kelly Burrows.

Sam is deeply involved in local scouting matters, and devotes most of his spare time to working with youngsters in the local community.

He started his scouting career in 2001, aged 14, as a young leader at the 1st Gedney Cub Group.

At the age of 18, he was appointed Assistant Cub Scout Leader, and two years later Cub Scout Leader. In October 2007 he organised an activity camp for over 100 young people in the district to celebrate the Scouting Centenary. Sam has recently been appointed District Explorer Scout Commissioner starting in June 2009.

He said: "I was quite surprised but very pleased to be told I had won this award, it is so nice to be recognised for my work with the scouting movement.

"I would like to thank my tutor Paul for putting me forward for this marvellous award."

The college described Kelly as clearly "having a passion for working with and supporting young people. This is in addition to her achieving a runner up prize in the Cambridgeshire Young Person of the Year award last November."

The YOPEY award was made in recognition of Kelly's support for her sister, Marie, who has Smith-Magenis Syndrome, and who is also currently a foundation student within college.

Kelly first became proactive with youth facilities in Fenland in 2001 when she volunteered to support her local youth group in March.

She has subsequently worked with youth groups in Chatteris, Christchurch and Wisbech.

More recently Kelly has taken the opportunity to focus her National Diploma placement in working with Fenland Dodgers, as well as the Youth Panel and the Scouting Movement.

She said: "I was surprised to find out I had won the award, I wasn't really expecting it but I am very happy."

Roger Almond presented these two special awards. Roger's late father Leslie was the 1st and only chairman of the Isle College Adult Student Association.

The award was established in his memory to be annually presented to the student(s) who had been involved in service to the community outside of their College commitment.

Mr Almond said: "This award has been in existence for over 20 years and without exception the recipients have exceeded the entry requirements of the award. My late mother used to present the award. I now have the privilege of taking on that role.