Uxbridge College students from Hillingdon and beyond were chosen to receive awards from the founder of the prestigious music awards MOBO Kanya King.
Among the winners were:
* Tarique Hasan (19), of East Avenue, Hayes, who achieved 5 A Levels at grade A, studying a number of units by himself, and is now going to Imperial College London to study Physics.
* Rasa Rozar (28), of Rockingham Road, Uxbridge, who had a baby in the second year of her Higher National Diploma in Business but did well enough to start university in the third year as a result of her achievements.
* Tsegenet Goshime (21), of Balmoral Drive, Hayes, who could hardly speak English when she started her studies and is now one of the best hairdressers in the College.
* Bethany Reed (18), of Northolt, a performing arts student who is going on to RADA to do a Foundation Degree in Technical Theatre and Stage Management.
The overall winner - the Lloyds TSB Super Star - was named as Humza Bhatti (19), of Slough who has completed a BTEC First Diploma in Sport and a BTEC National Diploma in Sport, and is now going on to study Sport Coaching and Management at St Mary's University College Twickenham.
Announcing his award on the night, Lorraine Collins, Director of Employer Engagement and Employability at Uxbridge College, said:
"Tonight's winner is someone who has shown outstanding commitment and consistency in everything he has done - and whose success is richly deserved. Starting on a first diploma level course three years ago at Uxbridge College, he never let up in his efforts to make things better for himself - and for others. In his academic studies he pushed himself to achieve an incredible six distinctions on his first diploma and 18 on the national course. His standard of work improved so greatly during his three years at college that by the end he was handing in university-standard assignments. He has shown great enthusiasm in the classroom, and demonstrated a willingness to learn and a thirst for knowledge. But reaching his own goals is only part of what has raised this young man above others. With one eye always on the needs of others, he has proved to be a lynchpin in any group he has been part of. Prepared to stand up for what he believes to be right while respecting the views of others, his contribution is consistently of great value. Always prepared to do what is necessary to get things done and always 'take one for the team' for the good of everyone. This sports student is popular, a great leader, someone who can always be relied upon."
Achievers of all ages celebrated with around 500 friends, family and staff at Uxbridge College's Annual Awards Ceremony 2009 on 24 September at The Beck Theatre in Grange Road, Hayes.
The 123 winners were chosen from among the 10,000 full-time and part-time students at the College, which has campuses in Park Road, Uxbridge and Coldharbour Lane, Hayes in west London, and is now the best in London for educating young people for the third year running.
Special guest Kanya King, founder of the MOBO awards, who presented the awards, told the packed theatre: "It is a privilege to address you all tonight. Who knows, maybe next time I will be in the audience listening to you.
"I have been relatively successful because of the three Ps - passion, passion and passion. Having self-belief, perseverance, clear goals, being able to overcome obstacles and aspiring to greater things will make all the difference. If you do whatever it takes and refuse to quit you will succeed."
Laraine Smith, Principal, said: "It is such an inspiration to hear these students' stories - to see how far many of them have travelled and in many cases to hear about the challenges they have overcome.
"Uxbridge College is about giving everyone the opportunity to succeed, whether they come here with no qualifications at all, or want to do a higher education qualification which can provide a stepping stone into the second or third year at university.
"The Annual Awards is also a great chance to recognise the work Uxbridge College does in the community and with employers."
Star and Special Award winners were:
THE ACADEMY
Star Award (sponsored by Chartwells, the College's caterers):
Tarique Hasan (19), of Hayes.
Gavin Taylor Bursary Award:
Rikkita Unadkat (19), of Northolt.
SCHOOL OF BUSINESS
Star Award:
Jawid Hakimi (17), of Hounslow.
Higher Education Award (sponsored by the University of Hertfordshire):
Rasa Rozar (28), of Uxbridge.
Individual Learner Award (sponsored by Hillingdon Chamber of Commerce):
Madiha Rizvi (19), of North Harrow.
TLC Nursery @ Hillingdon Hospital.
Employer's Award:
Visage Hair Salon, Ealing.
SCHOOL OF COMPUTING AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Star Award:
Elton Cabral (20), of West Drayton.
Higher Education Award (sponsored by Thames Valley University):
Foluke Atanda (27), of Northolt.
SCHOOL OF CREATIVE STUDIES
Star Award:
Bethany Reed (18), of Northolt.
Ian Hebditch Award:
David Byron (19), of Denham.
SCHOOL OF EARLY YEARS, HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE
Star Award:
Ocean Blue (39), of Hayes.
SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY
Star Award:
Adam Terpilowski (19), of Slough.
Higher Education Award (sponsored by Brunel University):
Maung Kyaw (28), of Hayes.
SCHOOL OF ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEACHING
Star Award:
Karla Zuniga Carballo (18), of Uxbridge.
SCHOOL OF FOUNDATION STUDIES
Star Award:
Savraj Kaur Sehra (21), of Southall.
SCHOOL OF HAIR, BEAUTY AND HOSPITALITY
Star Award (sponsored by Dennis Williams Ltd):
Tsegenet Goshime (21), of Hayes.
Comfort Simoyan Award (sponsored by Dennis Williams Ltd):
Belinda Bekaraze (20), of Uxbridge.
SCHOOL OF SPORT, LEISURE AND PUBLIC SERVICES
Star Award:
Humza Bhatti (19), of Slough.
David Keating Memorial Award:
Sandra Dogra (17), of Greenford.
TEACHER EDUCATION
Star Award:
Garth Twa (47), of Kilburn.