A KURDISH-born student has reached her peak after being honoured with an award from an internationally renowned mountaineer.
Zhilan Mohamed was presented with the Alan Hinkes Award for Endeavour at Northallerton College’s annual celebration of achievement, which rewards pupils who have excelled through hard work and commitment.
Zhilan, 18, who emigrated from her native Kurdistan to Sweden aged five years old, relocated to the UK with her family in 2012.
“We moved to Northallerton when I was 16, to start a family business, but I didn’t speak any English at all only Kurdish and Swedish so it was very hard,” said Zhilan.
“I enrolled at Northalleton College and the help they gave me was incredible.
“Every day I would learn a little more and now two years later I am predicted to get a C grade in my first English exam. It was hard work but I’m so proud of what I’ve achieved with their help.”
Zhilan, who is also aiming for a distinction in her BTEC science diploma was presented with her award by Mr Hinkes, a former pupil at Northallerton College and guest speaker at the celebration event.
The first British mountaineer to have climbed all 14 mountains with elevations greater than 8,000 metres Mr Hinkes told students, staff and parents how his love of climbing was first ignited at his former school.
“The seed for a lifetime passion for mountaineering was sowed very firmly during my time at Northallerton Grammar School,” he said.
Mr Hinkes described his 27 attempts to the summits of the world’s tallest mountains and read aloud a passage from his new book 8,000 Metres.
“It took me 17 years to climb the 14 highest peaks,” said Mr Hinkes.
“Many people I knew who tried failed, they were killed, but I knew I had to do it. I didn’t have a death wish, I had a life wish and climbing enhanced my life.”
The annual celebration event was hosted by student council members James Martin, Charlotte Nelson and Laura Hallett alongside teacher Trevor Starkey, at Hambleton Forum.
Student attainment in a wide range of areas, from academic and music to drama and art, were recognised alongside presentations for attitude, sporting commitment and enthusiasm, by the heads of the Northallerton and Catterick Federation including Federation executive principal Mick Hill, associate principal of Risedale Sports and Community College, John Kelly, head teacher of The Allertonshire School Chris Byrne and Northallerton College associate principal Mike Holmes ,who will be retiring at the end of the Christmas term after 40 years teaching in Northallerton.
Special posthumous awards in memory of former students were presented by in memory of former sixth form pupil Libby Dawes, who was tragically killed in a car accident in 2007, and Lance Corporal Ben Hyde, one of six royal military policemen killed in June 2003 in Southern Iraq.
Achievement awards were presented by Alan Miller, president elect of The Rotary Club of Northallerton Mowbray, David Walker, president elect of The Rotary Club of Northallerton and Gary Crawley, recruitment officer for Teesside University.
Entertainment for the evening was provided by Northallerton College Choir conducted by Andrea Rhodes, College dancers performing Run the World choreographed by Hannah Tweddle, Jazz trio Aaron Turner, Thomas Rhodes and Jake Piper, and a performance of His Dark Materials by the college drama group.
Results
Best Key Stage 3 assessments: Meghan Browne, Andrew Campbell, Joel Everett, Ciara O’Brien, Alex Vayro, Matthew White
Outstanding attitude to learning throughout Year 10: Libby Beswick, Rebecca Boakes, Bethany Carrahar, Amy Donlon, Joseph Featherstone, Sally Grey, Chloe Grocott, Emily Hobbs, Rebecca Grace-Johnson, Charlotte Mackinnon, Elizabeth Mallett, James Mann, Thomas Pattison, Emily Platt
Outstanding achievement at GCSE level: Helen Bailey, James Bramley, Asa Dant, Maya Dorling, George Fox, Joshua Henry, Alicia Hicks, Kiesha Hoggart, Michael Kirby, James Martin, George McNaught Ellen Palmer, Ana Ridings, Katherine Sanders, Sophie Trueman, Aaron Turner, Simon West, Nicholas Yates
Rotary Club Award for highest achievement at GCSE level: Catherine Bailey, Jack Brent, Rachael Chapman, Abbie Grange, Georgina Watkiss
Outstanding achievement at AS level: Sally Brooker, Liam Geach, Rhiannon Hinton, Ben Stuart, Matthew Webb
Rotary Club of Northallerton Mowbray Award for highest achievement at AS level: Dominic Jacques
Outstanding achievement at A2 level: Luct Benson, Jack Brown, Lee Jones, Laura Matthews
Teesside University Award for highest achievement at A2 level: Quentin Cook
Faculty Awards:
Libby Dawes Award (Outstanding Commitment to Health & Social Care): Alia Radwan
Science: Quentin Cook, Katherine Sanders
Humanities: James Juden, Ellie Readman
The Geography Prize: Jack Brent
Maths: Bryony Harland, James Martin
Expressive Arts: Lucy Carr, Ruth Chapman
SSAFA Forces Help for Musical Excellence: Jake Piper
Ben Hyde Sports Award (sporting commitment and enthusiasm): Rebecca Boakes, James Mann (pre 16), Hannah Kirk, Jack Cornforth (post 16)
PE Coaching Award: Damian Starr
David Dick Award for Sporting Achievement: George Fawcett
Technology: Edward Keen, Daniel Over
Andrew Rawling Award (Outstanding commitment to Design & Technology): Sally Hughlock
Alan Hinkes Award for Endeavour: Zhilan Mohamed, Hannah Weatherill
English: Lucy Benson, Rachael Webb
The John Dennis Award: Lois Farndale, James Martin
The Cuthbert Cross: Jack Cornforth, Hannah Kirk