The outstanding efforts of more than 50 Southampton City College students have been celebrated during a special awards ceremony at the city's Guildhall...

DETERMINED Holly Livingston certainly has a reason to smile. Since she joined Southampton City College the 22-year-old, who

has learning difficulties, has shown an outstanding level of progress.

Now in the third year of a multi-skills foundation course, Holly has improved her communication skills and grown in independence.

Thanks to the continued support of staff she now needs less support in class and has developed a fondness for cookery, IT and art.

For Holly's mum Kathryn, 55, every step forward is a tremendous achievement.

"Holly has really gained in

confidence and I have noticed in the last year that her speech has improved, which is a tremendous thing.

"Now she is trying to join in with conversations."

Holly was just one of 51 deserving students to win awards at Southampton City College's Student Awards Evening, scooping the Southern Daily Echo Award for Achievement.

Award winners of all ages and all walks of life were rewarded during the ceremony at Southampton Guildhall for their hard work, outstanding achievement and success against the odds.

Television personality Chris Packham, who attended maths A-level evening

classes at the city college in 1977, earning a C grade, congratulated all the students on their achievements.

He praised the practical and pragmatic approach of the college in developing a curriculum of courses designed to help students get on in the workplace.

"When I listened to some of the achievements you have all managed to pull off I did feel intimidated by your energy," he said as he praised the focus of students to establish their goals.

Beryl Pratley, chairman of

corporation at the city college, told the award winners: "It is

a wonderful thing that you have done.

"You have made it and you are continuing to make it and we will wish you well."

All of the winners were nominated by their teachers out of the 15,865 students who last year completed courses at the college.

Fred Stanley, director of business develop-ment, said: "We are proud of all our award winners. I hope that they will carry on using the knowledge and skills that they have gained."

SOUTHAMPTON CITY COLLEGE STUDENT AWARDS EVENING ROLL OF HONOUR:

The Southampton City College Award for Achievement: Abdiwahat Ahmed Hassan (EFL level six/seven)

The Price Waterhouse Coopers Award for Achievement: Madan Ali (GNVQ foundation business)

The Drummond Heating Award for Achievement: Richard Andrews (City & Guilds in electrical and electronic servicing)

The Southampton City College Award for Achievement: Michelle Anstey (GNVQ foundation business)

The Southampton City College Chair of Corporation Award for Achievement: Didier Caillet (access to higher education)

The Thornycroft Society Award for Achievement: Alan Clarke (engineering systems and maintenance competences)

The Connexions South Central Award for Achievement: Louisa Coltart (family numeracy)

The Mary Moody Memorial Award for Achievement: Michelle Crossland (NVQ level three in food service)

The Southampton Institute Award for Achievement: Martin Dundas (BTEC national diploma in ICT)

The Geoffrey Osborne Award for Achievement: Yusif Elobeid (apprenticeship in brickwork)

The Forder & Broomfield Cup Award for Achievement: David French (NVQ level two in wood occupation)

The Southampton City College Award for Achievement: Margaret Haug (NVQ level four in registered managers award care)

The Engineering Design Partnership Award for Achievement: Stephen Hockley and Steve Kearslake (City & Guilds electrical installation, part one)

The Hamble Structures Award for Achievement: Lena Holmes (BTEC national certificate in engineering)

The NHA Europe Award for Achievement: Cara Homer (NVQ level three in beauty therapy)

The Southampton City College Award for Achievement: Doreen Joplin (NVQ level two in care)

The Connexions South Central Award for Achievement: Glenn Joyce (apprenticeship in catering)

The Alderman Thomas Lewis Award for Achievement: David Keen (access to higher education)

The Southampton City College Award for Achievement: Emma Kilford (NVQ level two in hair)

The Connexions South Central Award for Achievement: Katie Knights (NVQ level two in beauty therapy)

The British Marine Federation Award for Achievement: Andrew Lee (BTEC national certificate in manufacturing engineering marine)

The Southern Daily Echo Award for Achievement: Holly Livingston (multi-skills foundation course)

The Carswell Gould Associates Award for Achievement: Graham Longdin (foundation diploma in art and design)

The Mayflower Award for Achievement: Deborah Low (diploma in management)

The CPD Distribution Award for Achievement: Matthew Maunder (apprenticeship in carpentry and joinery)

The Cedar Press Award for Achievement: Faye McClure (BTEC national diploma in design)

The MITIE Engineering Maintenance Award for Achievement: Peter McColm (PEO level two in mechanical

The Connexions South Central Award for Achievement: Abdidek Mohamed (ESOL)

The Southampton City College Governors' Award for Achievement: Donald Ndhlovu (NOCN in business and IT studies)

The Trant Construction Award for Achievement: Robert Neilson (HNC in construction)

The Southampton Football Club Award for Achievement: Samantha O'Mahony (BTEC national diploma in health studies)

The British Dental Association Award for Achievement: Susan O'Mara (BTEC national diploma in dental technology)

The Southampton City College Award for Achievement: Michelle Parker (NVQ level two in hair)

The Redroofs Nursery Award for Achievement: Michelle Parsons (cache foundation in childcare)

The Dentsply Award for Achievement: Lucie Pelakova (BTEC national diploma in dental technology)

The FSL Award for Achievement: Robert Pender (level two in boat building, maintenance and support)

The Nuffield Theatre Award for Achievement: Christopher Pethick (national diploma in performing arts, technical)

The Choice Hotels Europe Award for Achievement: Sara Plutino (level three food preparation and cooking)

The WestQuay Award for Achievement: Andrew Pole (FCA in decorative occupations)

The Hampshire Constabulary Award for Achievement: Abbas Qasemi (ESOL level three, part-time)

The Wood Commercial Facilities Award for Achievement: Joanne Shuckford (national certificate in construction)

The 3 Men and a Suit Award for Achievement: David Smedley (BTEC national diploma in design)

The Southampton Institute Award for Achievement: Wendy Smith (NCFE intermediate certificate for resort representatives)

The Accolade Building Services Award for Achievement: Peter Snook (certificate in plumbing, level two)

The Trant Construction Award for Achievement: Tom Stringer (national certificate in civil engineering)

The John Masters Young Achiever's Award: Ayshea Tagoe (cache entry and foundation in caring for young children)

The Connexions South Central Award for Achievement: Sarah Targett (GCSE English)

The William T Eden Award for Achievement: Darren Taylor (NVQ level three in auto electrical)

The Saint Award for Achievement: Diane Thompson (GCSE sociology)

The Air Products Award for Achievement: Ian Thornton (PEO level two in fabrication and welding)

The F H Brundle Award for Achievement: Sam Wolohan (apprenticeship in fabrication and welding)

FOR MORE PICTURES FROM THE AWARDS CEREMONY SEE TODAY'S DAILY ECHO.