Ashley Emslie (21) from Lochgelly joined Carnegie College three years ago straight from school, with plans of becoming a nurse.  She enrolled on the Intermediate 2 Preparation for Care course, quickly showing signs of becoming a successful student, gaining A+ in both Care and Intermediate 2 Biology external exams. 

With an increasing interest in science, Ashley decided to move on to the Scottish Wider Access Programme (SWAP), Access to Health and Life Sciences, and again excelled, winning Science Student of the Year for her enthusiasm, hard work and high performance.

At that stage Ashley could have gone on to a degree course at university, but wanted to build up a bit more confidence so decided to continue at Carnegie on the HNC Applied Biomedical Sciences programme, where once again her enthusiasm shone through.  This attitude has seen her go from strength to strength, producing a consistently high standard of work.  With 100% attendance over 3 years and her increasing technical ability, Ashley is well on track to complete the HNC with all 15 credits scoring exceptionally high marks in all assessments.

Despite being focussed on constantly improving her knowledge and skills, Ashley always has time to spend helping other students.  Her bubbly personality and contagious sense of humour, combined with her motivation and outstanding hard work has earned her respect from both her peers and tutors over the years. 

Ashley is a model Carnegie College student who has worked her way through the educational levels, learning and growing both in knowledge and confidence at each stage, finally progressing onto her dream of Higher education.  Ashley should be seen as an inspiration to other students starting out on their learning journey as she did three years ago.

When Ashley moves on to study BSc (Hons) Biological Sciences at university, she will be missed by everyone who has come into contact with her at Carnegie.  As her tutor said, “Heriot-Watt is very lucky to have her joining them.”

Graham Bowstead, chairman of Carnegie College Board of Management, welcomed the award winners, friends and families, employers, sponsors and college staff. 

Principal Bill McIntosh addressed the audience, speaking of the special link between the college and sponsors of prizes from individuals, groups and industry.  He went on to announce a new scholarship fundraising campaign in association with the Dunfermline Press, which celebrates its 150^th anniversary this year. This campaign will reach out and appeal to ex-students, employers, sponsors, the public at large and other friends of the college to raise student scholarship funds.

Guest speaker, Jim Leishman, director of football at Dunfermline Athletic then took to the stage and gave a motivational talk to the winners, drawing on incidents in his own career that motivated him.  Assistant Principal Janet McCauslin then announced the winners, who came on stage to be presented with their Awards.

Following the presentations, the principal announced the launch of the Mary Leishman Scholarship in Performing Arts from 2010, in memory of Jim Leishman’s late wife, who had a lifelong interest in the theatre and in recognition of her contribution to the performing arts.

The Student President, Craig Walker, rounded the evening off with a vote of thanks.