Outstanding students recognised at Coleg Menai awards
The college held its 2025/26 Achievers' Awards Ceremony at the Llangefni campus to celebrate students who have excelled throughout the academic year.
Coleg Menai celebrated the outstanding students of 2025/26 at its annual Achievers’ Awards Ceremony.
Somadina Emmanuel-Chukwudi was named ‘Overall Achiever of the Year’ during the ceremony at the Llangefni campus, while 16 of her peers were also recognised for excelling in their respective programme areas (see the full list of winners below).
The award winners were treated to an inspirational speech from Elle Maguire - a former Coleg Menai student and award-winning salon owner - as they celebrated their success with family and friends.
Every year, lecturers from each subject area are invited to nominate students for an award within that discipline, with the winner being chosen by the respective programme area manager.
Each winner receives a trophy during the ceremony, before the Overall Achiever of the Year - chosen by the Principal - is announced at the end of the evening.
At the ceremony on Thursday, Coleg Menai principal Dr Siôn Peters-Flynn presented Health and Social Care student Somadina with this year’s Overall Achiever award, along with a £200 voucher.
Dr Peters-Flynn described Somadina as “a student who has shown outstanding motivation, resilience and achievement", highlighting the high-quality work and professionalism shown during her work placement, where she impressed so strongly that she secured a position as Care Assistant at Fairways.
Somandina, who moved to Wales two years ago and is now progressing to study Nursing at the University of Chester, was also presented with the Achiever of the Year award for her subject area.
Also among the winners for their subject areas were A Level student Llio Lowies and Engineering learner Ashton Thomas.
Llio’s passion for chemistry and her determination to study medicine shine through, but what makes her truly stand out are her natural communication skills and her willingness to step forward, whether to help out her classmates or volunteer to speak at events. Outside of the classroom her work as a hospital volunteer shows her compassion and commitment to caring for others - we are sure Llio will go on to be an exceptional doctor.
Ashton was the winner of the IET (the Institute of Engineering and Technology) local network prize for student excellence. Ashton’s outstanding achievements this year include winning first place in an internal Additive Manufacturing competition and going on to secure a gold medal at Skills Wales against strong competition. Humble, focused and self-driven, his quiet determination and strong work ethic make him a fantastic role model for his peers.
At the ceremony, Dr Peters-Flynn also presented caps to students who represented Wales in the sporting arena during the academic year. A total of 15 students were capped this year. Dr Peters-Flynn said: “Together these individuals have proven that Coleg Menai is a genuine powerhouse of talent.”
The following students have successfully combined their demanding academic work with the relentless training involved in becoming elite athletes: Alex Cunningham, Gwion Parry, Cai Williams, Callum Hughes, Jac Williams, Steffan Alford, Amber Roberts, Angharad Jones, Catrin Roberts, Deian Andrews, Erin Basinger, Morgan Davies, Cai Roberts (all football), Ffion Mair (swimming) and Ela Williams (Gymnastics).
Awards were also presented in memory of former Coleg Menai students Chloe Bidwell and Rhun Jones.
A new scholarship award was presented this year in tribute to the late Hew Gethin Jones, who worked as an editor for TV production company Rondo Media. Learners studying TV and Film, Media, Music, and Performing Arts at Coleg Menai had the opportunity to apply for the £1,000 scholarship, which will run for ten years. This year’s recipient was Summer Jones.
Opening the ceremony, Dr Peters-Flynn said: “I have the honour of presenting these very prestigious awards this evening to a group of students who are to be recognised for their hard work and dedication over the past 12 months.
“Our award winners have been nominated as students who have gone that extra mile, who have broken down barriers or who have excelled in their subject. This is what makes these awards very special, and a privilege to present.”
The ceremony featured guest speaker Elle Maguire, who progressed from Level 1 to Level 3 Hairdressing at Coleg Menai between 2013 and 2015. Elle returned to the college to complete a Level 4 qualification. Graduating in 2022, she then enrolled on a PGCE programme the following year.
The full list of winners from the Coleg Menai 2025/26 Achievers Awards is as follows:
Overall Achiever of the Year / Health and Care with Child Care award: Somadina Emmanuel-Chukwudi
Rhun Jones Memorial Award (Automotive Engineering): Tyler Williams
Chloe Bidwell Sky’s the limit award (Construction): Dymtro Lukianenko
Institute of Engineering and Technology Award: Ashton Thomas
Huw Gethin Scholarship Award: Summer Jones
Access to Higher Education: Aimee Goddard
A-level (Sciences): Llio Lowies
Art and Design: Elain Walker
Business Studies and Travel and Tourism: Beca Williams
Engineering: Orlaith Jones
English for Speakers of Other Languages: Mohammad Rahimi
Expressive Arts: Llewelyn Parry
Hair and Beauty: Olha Bushuieva
Hospitality and Catering: Morgan Jones
Lifelong Learning: Emily Court
Media, Games Development and IT: Elliot Page
Skills for Work and Life: Enfys Jones
Sport and Public Services: Josie Whitlock
Welsh Student of the Year: Elain Morgan
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.