UHI Argyll celebrates inspirational Student of the Year Awards

UHI Argyll is delighted to announce the winners of its 2025 Student of the Year Awards, celebrating outstanding achievement, resilience, and dedication across its Schools Link, Further Education, and Higher Education courses. This year also marks the introduction of a new category recognising the achievements of students on a Modern Apprenticeship programme.

In the Schools Link category, Nyah McBride from Helensburgh was named the winner. The Further Education award was jointly presented to Alyssa McGarrie from the Isle of Arran and Stephanie Kemp from Rothesay. In the Higher Education category, the award went to Helen Smith from Dunoon, and Kacper Kasperowicz from the Isle of Gigha was named the winner of the Modern Apprenticeship award.

Nyah McBride

Nyah McBride from Hermitage Academy in Helensburgh successfully completed the NPA in Makeup Skills and was nominated by her lecturer for her outstanding commitment and positivity. Despite facing personal challenges that occasionally impacted her attendance, Nyah ensured she stayed on track and remained dedicated to her studies. Her lecturer, Lesley Devlin, described her as “one of the most positive students I have ever taught,” praising her resilience and determination. Nyah’s inspiring attitude makes her a truly deserving recipient of this award.

Alyssa McGarrie 

Alyssa’s path to success has not been without challenges. Having withdrawn from a previous course, she made the courageous decision to return to full-time study, taking on not one, but two demanding courses – Access to Care and Higher English. Her commitment to learning, maturity, and resilience have been widely praised. She has demonstrated leadership in group work, achieved top marks in assessments, and shown remarkable personal growth by regularly engaging with student support services to help manage her wellbeing and academic responsibilities. Centre Manager Judi Worthington highlighted Alyssa’s “quiet determination” and her ability to turn challenges into opportunities for growth. Her resilience, openness, and willingness to grow have made a lasting impression on staff and her classmates alike.

Stephanie Kemp

Stephanie studied the NC Social Sciences Level 5 course, and has been recognised for her academic excellence, leadership, and supportive nature. Despite managing a demanding home life, including caring for three young children and dealing with additional support needs, Stephanie consistently produced high-quality work while offering support to a diverse range of classmates. She also took on the role of student voice representative and led a class project to create a self-help booklet for new students, encouraging her peers to share their experiences and advice. The final booklet was so well received that UHI Argyll is now considering using it as a resource for future student cohorts. Her lecturer, William MacLeod, described her as “a shining example of a student in our college.”

Helen Smith

Helen has been selected as the winner of the Higher Education award, having completed her SVQ4 in Social Services and Healthcare an impressive four months ahead of schedule. Her assessor, Silvia Jost, praised Helen’s proactive approach to her studies, strong communication skills, and ability to apply theory to practice. Despite facing personal challenges during her studies, Helen ensured she stayed on track with deadlines, a real testament to her strength of character. Her early completion of the course, positive attitude and passion for learning make her a truly deserving recipient of this award.

Kacper Kasperowicz

Kacper Kasperowicz, based on the Isle of Gigha, has been selected as the winner of the Modern Apprentice award. Having completed the Level 6 Parks, Gardens and Greenspace apprenticeship at Achamore Gardens, Kacper was nominated by his assessor Andrew Garven, for his positive can-do attitude. From restoring overgrown areas to maintaining drainage systems, large scale pond restoration and plant production, Kacper is not afraid to get stuck in. His passion and work ethic have made a lasting impression on those around him. Achamore Gardens, like many public gardens requires the help of volunteers to maintain the grounds, and Kacper's infectious enthusiasm encourages them to keep coming back. His assessor Andrew describes him as “an employee any employer would be extremely lucky to have on the team.”

For more information about the awards and for a full list of nominees, visit the Student of the Year webpage.