SCHOLARSHIPS have been awarded to a selection of students from HSDC Alton College at the 21st Scholarships for Excellence Awards.

The ceremony, which was held in the Wessex Arts Centre, celebrated the achievement of 22 successful scholars.

Trevor Heley, managing director of the foundation, opened the ceremony by welcoming students, parents, sponsors, college staff, governors and the foundation directors, who were in the audience to celebrate the achievement of the successful scholars.

He congratulated the new scholars who between them bring the total number of Alton College students awarded scholarships, since the scheme began in 2002, to 397. Trevor commended the high calibre of applications this year, and the quality of the winning students.

Trevor paid a grateful tribute to Nicholas Branch, founder and former chairman of the Alton College Foundation, who died in October 2022.

Trevor said: “The continued success of the foundation is a testament to Nicky’s commitment, pride and belief in the charity, and the students themselves.”

The audience welcomed and heard from Adam Trubridge, who was an engineering scholarship recipient in 2020.

He gave a speech about how the scholarship had given him the confidence and competitive edge to be successfully selected for a degree apprenticeship with a software company.

As part of the ceremony, Trevor thanked Sir Simon and Lady Virginia Robertson for supporting 46 scholars from 2008 to date.

As a special tribute, Isobel Goldie, who was appointed the fine art scholar last year, presented a painting she had created to Sir Simon and Lady Virginia as a thank you.

The scholarship winners were: Thea Abbatt, Thorfin Rolfe, Charlotte Adams, Lottie Goode, Adam Hobbs, Megan Ewart, Victor Adynec, Harry Beveridge, Ilya Tilson, Thomas Wells, Ethan Brooks, Sofija Butler, Ryan Webster, Samuel Burchett, Fin West, Scarlett Mann-Smith, Chiara Wild, Heaven Shelton, Libby Bridges, Jamie Haig, Leeona Aspinwall and Erin Sinclair.

The evening was brought to a close by Mike Gaston, principal and chief executive of HSDC, who thanked the foundation, local community, sponsors and donors and the staff for their role in the selection process. He spoke of the sense of pride and joy in attending the evening.