Pupils from all of East Renfrewshire secondary schools and Isobel Mair School were honoured at a special awards ceremony this week.
The Convener’s Awards for Outstanding Achievement were held at Clarkston Hall on Wednesday, March 27 and saw 90 young people recognised for their achievements.
An aspiring chef with Michelin Star experience; a young electronic dance music composer, performer and producer; international kickboxer; and Police Scotland Youth Volunteer (PSYV) were among those celebrated.
Councillor Andrew Anderson, convener of education, equalities, culture and leisure, presented all the winners with a certificate and commemorative award.
He told the Barrhead News: “It’s always fantastic to celebrate such a wide range of achievements by pupils from across all our schools and this is an event I look forward to each year.
“In every category, it is clear that the pupils have shown dedication and commitment to their chosen pursuits.
“All of the winners should be incredibly proud of themselves, they are a credit to not only themselves but their families and their school.”
Nominations for individuals or groups to win an award were submitted by school staff and pupils within a wide range of categories, including sports, creativity, personal achievement, advocacy, extra-curricular and community service.
Among the outstanding pupils celebrated was aspiring chef Amber Rissman from Mearns Castle High, who was recognised in the extra curricular category.
Having won the Scottish Springboard Future chef competition, Amber has gone on to train with a range of high-profile chefs.
She has gained at the two Michelin star Restaurant Andrew Fairlie at Gleneagles, as well as working alongside renowned chef, Gary Townsend, at the prestigious One Devonshire Gardens.
Isobel Mair pupil Jason Gray won his award in the creativity category for his work in the electronic dance music genre.
Jason, who is self-taught and the composer, performer and producer of many music tracks, has already created an album.
At Barrhead High, William Hughes was recognised for his sporting achievements in both kickboxing and taekwondo.
Managing the demands of a rigorous training schedule, alongside his studies, William is now competing for his country in kickboxing.
In the community service category, meanwhile, Eastwood High pupil Sana Iqbal was praised for her three years of service to the PSYV.
Having helped at major events all around Glasgow, Sana has so far amassed an 167 hours of volunteering, which has seen her rise to the position of senior youth volunteer.
Mark Ratter, East Renfrewshire Council’s director of education, added: “Well done to all of our incredible young people who have been recognised with a Convener’s Award for their exceptional achievements."
Full details of the winners are listed below:
Advocacy – Jenson Black (Woodfarm High), Adam Fergus, Molly Gill, Erin Kirkland, Adam Smith (Healthier Minds Peer Champions, Eastwood High), Sarah You Li, Asfand Imran, Holly Stevenson, Meleeca Baig, Anie Deeney, Grace Lochrie, Thomas Limpitlaw (St Martin de Porres; Equalities United, St Luke’s High)
Community Service – Sana Iqbal (Eastwood High), Matthew Wylie (Isobel Mair School), Sophie Pearce (Mearns Castle High), Maisie Quin (Mearns Castle High), Neve McNab (Mearns Castle High), Ava Hannah (St Ninian's High), Jessica Escosio (St Ninian's High), Mhairi Zing (St Ninian's High), Olivia McLachlan (Woodfarm High), Abbie Beveridge (Woodfarm High).
Contribution to the school community – Philippa Taggart, Emily Darroch, Krish Bhasin, Meghan Burns (St Ninian's High, Mentors in Violence Prevention)
Creativity – Elizabeth McGregor, Marysia Figurska, Brooke Pearson, Amy Elrick, Freya McGuire, Sophie Jordan (Barrhead High, Students Enquiry Group); Eilzabeth McGregor, Freya Wilson, Anna Dove, Molly Docherty (Barrhead High Journalism Club); Abigail Fulton (Eastwood High), Jason Gray (Isobel Mair School); Euan Garbut (Mearns Castle); Amaan Waheed (Williamwood High), Leo Storey (Williamwood High), Gia Kim (Woodfarm High), Rhona Langford (Williamwood High), Naomi Whyte (St Ninian’s High).
Extra-Curricular – Preston Devon (Eastwood High), Amber Rissman (Mearns Castle), Alex Penman (Mearns Castle), Mairead McKee, Amna Mahmood, Maia Jenkins, Amelie McDade, Lucy Gibson, Faith Sheridan, Olivia Frykholm, Lara Stefani, Sophie Hamilton, Emily Mirza, Eva Hannah, Khalia Clifford-Alcantar, Eve Hassett (DressCode club, St Ninian’s High), Nathan Booker, Rory Wallace, Ewan MacPheat, Isabella Annand, Iona Hunter, Libby Campbell, Abbie Brown, Chloe Sawers, Kaitlyn Irvine (Front of House Team, Williamwood High), Gabriella Pearson (Williamwood High).
Personal Achievement - Hatim Al-Mahi (Eastwood High), Maddison Colquhoun (Eastwood High), Ali Babar (Eastwood High), Jude Arias (St Luke's High)
Pupil nominated – Cacee McKinnon (Barrhead High), Erin Kirkland (Eastwood High), Sam McFarlane (Mearns Castle High), Sarah Yu Li (St Luke’s High), Christopher James (St Ninian's High), Emily Johnston (Williamwood High), Matthew Knak (Woodfarm High)
Sports – William Hughes (Barrhead High), Finlay Morton (Mearns Castle High), Rory Donaldson (Mearns Castle High), Craig Shennan (Williamwood High), Louisa Kaven (Williamwood High), Sofia Nielsen (Williamwood High), Sam Harrison (Woodfarm High)
Sports leadership – Derek Brooks (St Luke's High), Stelli Coyne (St Ninian's High)
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