42 students receive Travel Scholarships
Posted on Wednesday 13 May 2009
The College underlines its mission to enable students to meet the demands of a changing world with c
Scholarships for life-changing journeys
42 students from Farnborough Sixth Form College will be extending their studies by undertaking adventurous or challenging activities in all corners of the globe in the summer months. They have been awarded Travel Scholarships by the College which has a strong commitment to encouraging a greater understanding of the global world in which we live.
College Principal Dr John Guy said, “A key part of our mission is to prepare young people to meet the demands of a changing world with confidence and assurance - what better way can we do this than to encourage students to undertake unusual projects overseas?”
First year student Bethan Ashley, 16, of Yateley received her scholarship to travel to Trinidad and Tobago with the Earthwatch organisation to investigate endangered leatherback sea turtles. She said, “I want to study natural sciences for my degree so this trip will help my university application and broaden my perspective on life.”
Alex Whitford, 17, of Camberley, will be heading off to Mozambique with the Charity Alfalit to undertake a literacy project with disadvantaged young people. Alex said, “The trip will give me an experience of a different culture on the other side of the world and help me to understand the needs of people in developing countries.”
The awards were presented by Andrew Lloyd, Chief Executive of Rushmoor Borough Council. Mr Lloyd told the gathering of students and their parents, “The breadth of projects being undertaken by you all is astonishing – never underestimate the significance of these trips which will demonstrate your own determination and resourcefulness to future universities and employers.”
In addition to the College Scholarships, Rene Glasscock of Blackwater Valley Rotary Club, presented the Jacqueline Findlay Memorial Award, in memory of the first President of the Club, to Alice Feltham, 18, of Church Crookham.
Alice will travel first to Bolivia where she will be teaching local disabled children living in extreme poverty, then on to live with the Tocana tribe in Andes where she will work on a project to help protect the biodiversity of the rain forest. Alice will finally end up in the Galapagos Islands, swimming with turtles!
Alice said, “I felt incredibly lucky to receive one travel scholarship from the College, so I was really surprised and honoured to be awarded the Jacqueline Findlay Travel Scholarship as well! I have been invited to speak to the Blackwater Valley Rotary Club when I return to describe my adventures first hand.”
Mrs Glasscock said, “Jacqueline, who was headteacher of North Farnborough Infants School, always loved travel and encouraged young people to be adventurous and to work for the good of the community so Alice’s project is particularly worthy of our support.”
