Star student scoops prestigious prize

Zulikhat Shavaeva accepts her award from Graham Able

AN OUTSTANDING Failsworth student has scooped Abbey College Manchester’s prestigious Jane Barraclough award.

Zulikhat Shavaeva (19) was presented with the gong in front of 180 of her peers, staff and parents at a ceremony held at Manchester Town Hall.

The accolade ­— in honour of the late reverend of the Unitarian Chapel in Cross Street ­— was given to the A-level mathematics, religious studies and psychology student in recognition of her outstanding achievements throughout the academic year and her willingness to engage in all aspects of college society.

The event celebrated the accomplishments of students due to graduate this summer with entertainment from the Abbey College Manchester band and Graham Able, deputy chairman of the Alpha Plus Group as the guest of honour who presented the awards and certificates.

Zulikhat told the Chronicle: “I am extremely honoured to have been presented with this award.

“The college has helped me to find myself and understand what I want to do with my future career.

“The teachers here guided me in every single step and being at Abbey College Manchester has been a great experience.

“It has provided me with opportunities to a lot of things I wouldn’t be able to otherwise such as taking part in the Model UN competition which taught me so much.”

Abbey College is an independent college in the heart of Manchester with around 230 students undertaking A-levels, BTec courses or GCSEs.

Principal Liz Elam was full of praise for the star student, saying: “Zulikhat has been an incredible member of this college.

“She has developed as a person into someone she should be very proud of.

“She remains supportive of her peers at all times whilst continuing to do an excellent job with her studies.

“She is a talented and special young woman who will do great things.”

Zulikhat is now looking towards university having received offers to study software development for business, or mathematics and philosophy at either Durham University or University of St Andrews.