A COURAGEOUS teenager who lost his mother to cancer has been recognised for his academic achievements and for raising thousands of pounds for charity.
Ross Graham, of Billingham, was presented with the Tom Brown Award for Courage over adversity at the St Michael’s Catholic Academy annual prize giving ceremony.
Ross, 16, sat his GCSE exams knowing his mother, Helen, 51, was critically ill with skin cancer.
Helen, who had been fighting cancer for five years but was only told the condition was incurable in August 2013, died shortly after he completed his final exam.
As well as studying Ross, who achieved 11 GCSEs, including six A*s and As, has also dedicated his time to helping raise more than £11,500 for MacMillan Nurses, with a ten and a half hour coast-to-coast cycle ride and a school cancer awareness day, to keep a promise he made to his mum before she died.
“I think my mum would have been very proud tonight,” said Ross, who is currently taking A level physics, maths, geography and psychology, as well as studying for his private pilots licence.
“I promised that I would study hard for my exams and I always kept my promises to her.”
Ross was presented with his award by Christopher and Jacinta Brown, whose son Tom, 16, a former pupil at St Michael’s Academy, was tragically killed in a road accident in April 2013.
Mr Brown, who designed the award depicting four books with titles Look to The Future, Tom Brown’s Schooldays, Lasting Impressions and Don’t Look Back, also presented Ross with a cheque for £50.
“Ross should be extremely proud of what he has managed to achieve,” said Mr Brown.
“Although in many ways I would prefer not to be handing him this award it really is in recognition of all of his hard work and keeping his promise to his mum. It also helps to keep Tom’s name alive in the memory of St Michael’s.”
The award was one of dozens to be presented at the celebration event, hosted by St Michael’s head teacher Andrew Ramsey, recognising achievements and endeavour in a wide range of subject areas.
Congratulating the students Mr Ramsey said: “What these students have achieved over the past five years has been immense.
“They have all shared the good times and the bad, happiness and sorrow and everyone has gone on their own journey of change but they will always be a part of St Michael’s.”
Trophies and cups were presented for special awards including academic excellence, strength and character, outstanding GCSE results, citizenship, sport, music, courage and contribution to school life and each student was presented with a Destiny Star by guest speaker and director of the Carmel Education Trust Maria Matthews.
The final trophy of the evening, The Good Shepherd Award, was presented to Jordan Dixon, 16, of Billingham, in memory of St Michael’s special education needs co-ordinator Kathryn Taylor who passed away in January.
Jordan, 16, who helped raise £400 for Mrs Taylor after she retired in 2013 due to ill health, was also praised for his friendliness and compassion to others in school.
The award, in the shape of a sheep, a favourite animal of Mrs Taylor, was presented by Martin Taylor and her daughters Anna Pickover and Julia Mitchinson.
“I was very surprised to be given this award,” said Jordan, who is studying A level sport.
“I remember Mrs Taylor very fondly and feel very honoured to be the first student to receive a trophy in her name.”
Results:
Subject awards
History: Orlagh Husband
Textiles: Helen Fisher
Food: Claire Devlin
Graphics: Sean Flaherty
Resistant Materials: Savannah Lindo
Art: Martha Teeley
ICT: Jamie Hunt
Maths: Charlotte Morgan
Physics: Isobel Morgan
Biology: Lucy Jones
Media Studies: Lewis Taylor
RE: Joe Nichol
Geography: Kaitlyn Cross
Drama: Grace Allen
Business: Luke Cumiskey
English Literature: Connor Wilson
English Language: Josh Williams
Special Awards
Edna Early Award for Worship: Matthew Bowman
Trevor Gaynor Award for French: Beth Hall
Martin Wing Award for Music: Adam Murray
Johnson Matthey Award for Chemistry: Zoe McLone
Lew Milburn Award: Tia Wills
Trevor Gaynor Award for Cricket: Matthew Bowman
Maureen Jamieson Award: Kelsey Main
SRC Bede College Award: Beth Hall
Stockton Sixth Form Award: Daniel Millington
SVP Award: Joe Howard
St Michael’s Award: Bethany Kelly
Peter Robinson Award: Chloe Thompson
Alan Parker Award: James Thompson
David Armstrong Award for Contribution to School Life: Joe Brady
Mandy Bell Award: Michael Walls
Shaun Lowrey Award: Emma Scott
Nicholas Welch Trophy: Bethany Kelly
Tom Brown Award: Ross Graham
The Good Shepherd Award: Jordan Dixon