Thursday 15-04-2021 - 20:25

On Thursday 15^th April 2021 the Students’ Association held our annual celebration event The STAR Awards online. Every year The STAR Awards are held to recognise and celebrate the hard work our volunteers and student groups carry out. 

Several awards were up for grabs including GCU Student of the Year, the Lindsay Leadership Award and Societies, Representation and Liberation and Student Media Awards.  Lots of wonderful nominations were received for these awards and after much deliberation the following winners were chosen.

Student of The Year & Lindsay Leadership Awards:
                                       

GCU Student of the Year:

• Lucy MacKay

Lucy was described as having set a positive impact on other students through their volunteer work at the GCU Law Clinic. Along with exemplary public speaking skills at the at the Scottish Young Lawyers’ Association Pro Bono Event. When they talked about how important it is to ensure our profession supports those most in need and also emphasised that we need greater diversity if we are to represent all those in our society who need help.

Lindsay Leadership Award:

•   Sarah Forrester

Sarah has working on the leadership competency: Setting a Positive Example. They have been putting this competency into action through their work as a mental Health supporter, helping adults with severe and enduring mental health problems. Sharing what they have learned on the programme, helping to setting a positive example to those around them within their role.

 

Representation Awards:

Academic Rep of the Year:

• Kelsie Greggain

Kelsie was described by the students that they represented as being ‘helpful’ and ‘supportive’ individual who always made sure students views and opinions were heard!

This year’s winner was also described by the students that they represented as being someone who went the extra-mile in their role to organise and run online events and activities to boost everyone’s spirts and keep everyone motivated during these difficult times.

Liberation/Representation Group of the Year:

• LGBT+ Students’ Group

The LGBT + Group was commended for holding meetings about issues that are not usually considered by students. And managed to uphold a good turnout at their events despite being all online. They also worked with the Student President to implement Gender Neutral toilets on campus. Very well done! 

Mental Health & Wellbeing Champion

• Vincent Waters

Vincent has been crucial in helping the mental health and physical wellbeing of others throughout the pandemic. He has also encouraged peers to seek help and has always been the first person that students can turn to for peer to peer support and for signposting to appropriate help resources.

Ethical & Environmental Award

• Nutrition & Dietetics Society

This year the group have been very active in creating an eCookbook focused on sustainability. As one of their nominators noted “It inspires the student population to think about sustainable practices when meal planning from buying food to cooking food and sustainable practices when out and about.” Another nominator wrote: “This is an amazing achievement and I am really proud of them for managing to produce it during the pandemic.”

Societies Awards

Society of the Year:

• Occupational Therapy Society

The OT Society was commended for their constant presence throughout the year, their ability to take on board feedback from members and was said to have made this challenging year a lot easier by providing a supportive community.

Best New Society:

• Events Society    

Only established in January, the Events society was commended for starting up while none of the members have been able to meet in person. The society was said to be much needed for events students during these uncertain times for the industry.

Best Society Event:

• CISA- Charity Week 

Charity Week was a great event to connect all GCU Students, raise money for charity and was commended for how it was adapted to an entirely online delivery

Best Overall Contribution from a Committee Member:

• Marcus McDonagh- Emergency Care Society  

Marcus was commended for his drive and determination, his passion for helping others and it was said that this society would not currently exist if it wasn’t for Marcus. 

The EDIT Awards:

 Best Article:

• Bethany Watt- Hitchcock Walked So Spielberg Could Run 

Bethany's article was commended by our panel for the hard work and research it took to put together.

The EDIT – Best Overall Contribution:

• Rachel Gibson

Rachel was said to have worked tirelessly for the EDIT all year, to have helped out in all sections and was commended for her hard work with the social media channels.

 

London Awards: 

    

Society Event Of The Year

• Fashion Society- Google Meets

This event was said to be very innovative and very welcoming. During this event they talked about how to be part of a London community and they also shared a lot of interest tips about London.

Class Rep Of the Year

• Ngeche Mah Ndhi

This student always reminded their course mates of upcoming deadlines and sent motivational messages and words of encouragement during the pandemic. Meaning students felt more motivated, and were able to receive appropriate feedback about their work.

Best Overall Contribution from a Student

• Josiane Spinola Pereira​​​​​​

Josiane was commended for being very participative in group and class activities. Ever ready to help other students and would have constructive arguments or contribution on most of the sessions.

 

 

Congratulations to all winners for all your hard work over a very tough year, trophies are in the post.