A TEENAGER who has just been recognised for her exemplary conduct is cooking up a future in the kitchen to fulfil a dream of becoming a top chef.
Haughton Academy student Rebecca Foddering was presented with the Austin Brooks Award by Rotary Darlington for her selfless nature.
The accolade has hardened her determination to pursue a career in catering, particularly around her passion for baking and she has been offered a place to study the profession at one of the region’s leading colleges.
The 16-year-old has already converted her Rotary prize into a book by the celebrated chef and TV personality Mary Berry, who presents the Great British Bake Off, and now she is looking forward to starting her studies at Darlington College.
Nominated by her head of house Lee Henderson, the popular teenager was rewarded for her work at home, school and in the community.
Rebecca helps her mum Pippa at home as her dad John is recovering from serious health problems.
At school, on top of her studies, she is a senior prefect, a pastoral prefect and a peer mentor. She also helps run a lunch club aiding students with a variety of issues ranging from homework to personal problems.
Outside of school Rebecca is a young leader with 1st Haughton-le-Skerne Guides, which she has belonged to since she was nine. She is also training to be an adult leader.
“I was shocked to be even nominated let alone win,” she said. “I didn’t think I had done anything special; I was just being me. I do have to juggle my life, which is fine. But I really enjoyed the special ceremony at the Dolphin Centre and I know my parents were very proud.”
Rebecca is busy studying her GCSEs and secured a Grade B in English last year.
“I have loved Haughton Academy but am really looking forward to going to college,” she said. “I hope to stay in the area and work in a local restaurant as there are plenty of great ones to choose from.”
Principal Rachel Ireland added: “ We are all incredibly pleased for Rebecca and she is a worthy recipient of the prize. She is a delight in school and the fact she doesn’t even realise she deserves the award shows what a lovely, humble and modest person she is; she is an example to us all.”
