Lisburn student Carolyn Barr has beaten off stiff competition to be crowned the UK’s Outstanding BTEC Beauty and Hospitality Student of the Year 2012.
Studying at South Eastern Regional College (SERC), she has just completed her Higher National Certificate in beauty sciences where tutors said her commitment and enthusiasm won Carolyn the title.
She was nominated by her lecturer and course co-ordinator Eunice Kerr, who said: “We are delighted that Carolyn has won this award. She has shown great dedication to her studies since she started her Level 2 course in 2008 and has progressed all the way up to the HNC level. She is a great role model for other students in the college.”
Eunice was also impressed that a student from the first cohort of SERC’s Higher Education programme had been awarded this prestigious merit.
In her citation, the judges said they were impressed with Carolyn’s ‘exceptional commitment and dedication’ to her studies throughout her time at SERC.
As Carolyn does not work within the beauty industry she undertook volunteer work in order to gain her the experience she needed to progress.
The HNC qualification together with her other qualifications acquired at SERC will provide her with the specialist skills which will now make her ready for employment.
She said: “I can’t believe I have been given this award. Whenever I started at the college I never thought I would achieve so much. It is thanks to all the help and support of the lecturing staff who have supported me and the rest of class throughout our course.”
Carolyn will now travel to London to attend the prestigious awards ceremony which will be hosted by Radio 1’s Reggie Yates. Speakers will include the Rt Hon David Willetts, Minister of State for Universities and Science, and Tim Campbell, winner of the first series of The Apprentice.