Students were nominated by lecturers for the ‘Student of the Year’ award in the different curriculum areas.

A total of 34 of these awards were presented and in addition two students were recognised for their commitment by being awarded the Leslie Almond Award.

Sam Raines and Kelly Burrows were recognised for their contribution to the local Fenland community while studying at the college.

Sam is deeply involved in local Scouting 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 more than 100 young people to celebrate the Scouting Centenary.

Sam has recently been appointed District Explorer Scout Commissioner starting this month.

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.”

Kelly has a passion for working with and supporting young people. This is in addition to her achieving a runners-up prize in the Cambridgeshire Young Person of the Year award last Nov-ember (YOPEY). The 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 she has taken the opportunity to focus her National Diploma placement in working with Fenland Dodgers, as well as the Youth Panel and Scouting Movement.

Kelly 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 first and only chairman of the Isle College Adult Student Association. The award was established in his memory to be annually presented to the student or students, who had been involved in service to the community outside of their college commitment.