Coleg Llandrillo celebrates outstanding students of 2025/26
The college held its annual Achievers’ Awards Ceremony at Venue Cymru to recognise students who have excelled during the academic year.
Coleg Llandrillo celebrated its outstanding students of 2025/26 at the annual Achievers’ Awards Ceremony at Venue Cymru.
Tom Booth was named ‘Overall Achiever of the Year’, having undergone “significant personal and academic change” during their journey at college.
He was one of 20 further education students recognised at the ceremony for excelling in their respective subjects (see the full list of winners below).
The award winners were also treated to an inspirational speech from Alex Marshall-Wilson, Wheelchair Basketball Premier League player and Coleg Llandrillo alumnus, as they celebrated their success with family and friends at the Llandudno venue.
Students are nominated each year by their lecturers, with the winner for each subject area chosen by the respective department head. Each of the winners is presented with a trophy during the ceremony, before the Overall Achiever of the Year is announced at the end of the evening.
This year’s overall winner Tom enrolled on the Access to Higher Education (Healthcare) course a year ago, hoping to become a paramedic.
At Tuesday’s ceremony, Coleg Llandrillo Principal Paul Flanagan said Tom had undergone significant personal and academic change during his time at college.
Paul said: “Despite experiencing profound heartbreak and the pressure of managing sole parental responsibilities, this student decided to continue the year, demonstrating the fortitude and presence of mind required of a paramedic.
“They embody the spirit of Access to Higher Education and do not just meet the criteria for Overall Achiever of the Year, but define it.
“We are incredibly proud that this learner has been accepted to study Paramedical Science at Wrexham University. We wish them every success in their studies and in achieving their goal of becoming a paramedic with the NHS.”
Grŵp Llandrillo Menai chief executive Aled Jones-Griffith presented Tom with the Overall Achiever of the Year trophy, along with a £200 voucher.
Another student progressing to university is Joseph Steel, who won the Achiever of the Year Award for A-levels. Joseph will be studying International Relations.
A clear leader within the Rhyl Sixth Form community, Joseph consistently goes above and beyond expectations, taking on an active role in welcoming new students and ensuring that they feel supported and included.
Also among the winners was Level 3 Sport and Exercise Science student Cara Mercier. An elite rugby player, their story this year is one of grit and determination. By refusing to let an injury define their limits, they’ve demonstrated a level of maturity and discipline that transcends sport.
Another winner was Level 3 Travel and Tourism student Rhys Roberts, who has developed from a reserved student into a confident, capable and industry-ready individual, reflecting not only academic excellence but also outstanding personal growth.
Congratulations were given during the ceremony to students who won medals in Skills Competition Wales this year, as well as those who represented Wales in the sporting arena. The students receiving caps for their sporting achievements were: Sam Parry (football) and Jac Williams (rugby).
During the ceremony, Alex Marshall-Wilson talked to students about how his time at Coleg Llandrillo helped him grow in confidence, the transforming effect playing sport had on his life, and what it takes to become an elite athlete.
Alex studied Level 3 Sport at Coleg Llandrillo before progressing to study Sport and Exercise Psychology at Loughborough University. A previous recipient of the Coleg Llandrillo FE Learner of the Year Award, Alex is currently working towards his ambition of representing Great Britain at the 2028 Paralympic Games in Los Angeles.
Closing the ceremony, Grŵp Llandrillo Menai CEO Aled Jones-Griffith said: “This has been a fantastic evening. A great experience for all the winners, and a proud evening for family members and friends.
“We have nearly 30,000 learners and some of the best results and success rates in Wales. Those of you who have won awards tonight can be very proud to have been nominated among so many other students. I am sure that successful futures await you all.”
The full list of winners from the Coleg Llandrillo 2025/26 Achievers Awards is as follows:
Overall Achiever of the Year / [Access to Higher Education]: Tom Booth
Skills for Life and Work: James Rollitt
A-levels: Joseph Steel
Art and Design: Newt Brown
Business: Evie Walliker
Childcare: Cerys Moriarty
Computing: Kyle McEgan
Construction: Daniel Sparrow
Engineering: Flynn Jones
English for Speakers of Other Languages: Minh Thuan Bui
Hair and Beauty: Kayleigh Blears
Health and Social Care: Neve Williams
Hospitality and Catering: Poppy Doherty
Media and Games Development: Sion Thomas
Motor Vehicle: George Atherton
Music and Performing Arts: Euan Roberts
Public Services: Katie Pugh
Sport: Cara Mercier
Travel and Tourism: Rhys Roberts
Adult Community Learning: Justine McKnight
Welsh-Language Student of the Year: Seren Daisy Williams
Grŵp Llandrillo Menai offers the widest range of educational and training courses in North Wales, from vocational courses, apprenticeships and A-levels to degrees and professional qualifications.