Great, great granddad Evelyn Roach
A SIXTH former from Warrington’s Priestley College has been chosen as one of the UK’s outstanding students.
Holly Roach, 17, (above) who is College Council President at Priestley, was honoured at an awards ceremony in London.
The honour recognised her academic achievements as well as the contribution she makes to the Warrington community including as a young leader with the Brownies, involvement with the Scouts and as a Kumon Maths and English teaching assistant.
For Holly, who achieved three As and a B in her AS-Level exams, volunteering is a family tradition dating back to her great, great grandad Evelyn Roach who was one of the early Scout leaders.
Holly said: “We have pictures of my great, great grandad when he organised a scout camp on a train that went through England and Scotland.
“I hadn’t realised before, but maybe the volunteering side of my life can be traced all the way back to him.”
Teachers, parents and peers nominated almost 300 young people in state education to be considered for one of 50 “Outstanding Student” awards.
Holly was nominated by Mark Salmon, a senior tutor at Priestley College.
Judges were impressed with the time the former Bridgewater High School pupil dedicates to the 5th Appleton St Matthew’s Brownies where she has helped for three years.
“I went to the same Brownie group and there was an older girl there who I always looked up to so I wanted to do the same for the younger Brownies,” she said.
As a Kumon teaching assistant she helps pupils aged between two and 18 and still finds time to study her Biology, Chemistry and Maths A-Levels as well as the Extended Project at Priestley College.
She also has to fit in 30 minutes exercise every day to help her cope with scoliosis, a condition which causes her spine to bend to the side.
“We are so proud of Holly and all her that she has achieved so far,” said Priestley College principal Matthew Grant.
“She is a credit to her family, college and to Warrington as well as a great role model for her peers.”
