WHAT A NIGHT! HNC CELEBRATES OUR STUDENTS WHO ARE TRULY BECOMING THEIR BEST SELVES

24.04.2025

We are delighted to share our photo gallery and publish the full list of award winners from our annual Become Your Best Self Awards which were hosted last night (Wednesday 23 April) at the University of Huddersfield.

Young people who apply to HNC are not only applying for their chosen study programme, they are also applying to become part of a community where each and every day they take the next step in becoming their best selves by reflecting the College’s ASPIRE values in their daily behaviours and habits (Authenticity, Self-Discipline, Passion, Innovation, Respect and Empathy).

Last night’s awards recognised our young people who display a genuine commitment to exceeding expectations and making these values a lived reality, and there were some very special stories shared at the ceremony – from students who have stepped up in medical emergencies, to those who are going above and beyond in their studies, to individuals who have demonstrated resilience during set-backs in their journey.

Following an opening speech from Monty Adkins, Deputy Vice Chancellor at the University, and Marcus Smith-Connor, HNC Principal, senior staff shared more about just how special our award winners are in front of an audience of proud family and friends who joined the event as guests. During the presentation of the awards, each winner heard why they had been chosen, and were presented with a copy of ‘Lives of the Stoics’ by Ryan Holiday, which was specially chosen as an inspiring read to help our students invest in their future selves.

A list of winners and a photo gallery from the evening can be viewed below.

Marcus Smith-Connor, Principal, comments: “The Become Your Best Self awards evening is a genuine highlight in our calendar. The HNC experience is not just an academic one, but also a journey where we support students to become the very best versions of themselves through providing opportunities for them to experience how by making our College values their lived daily reality, they can develop the skills, knowledge and attitude to take their next steps with confidence and make a difference in the wider world. There were so many special stories that were recognised at our ceremony, but all had one theme in common – that the award winners were genuinely invested in becoming their best selves. Spending an evening in a room full of young people who we know will go on to help the world become a better place was a real privilege.“

The College would like to thank the University of Huddersfield for hosting the event

Award winners

Authenticity Awards
Thomas M
Faye D
Wesal A
Amy W

Self-Discipline Awards
Selena C
Saadain S
Evie G
Olivia M

Passion Awards
Julita B
Fue A
Francesca C
Indigo Z

Innovation Awards
Lawrence S
Steffi M
Hasnain A
Daisy E

Respect Awards
Toby K
Lily A
Amy C

Empathy Awards
Nathan L
El B
Peter L
Eleanor M

Overarching awards
The ASPIRE Award: Lucas T
The Living Authentically Award: Fraser S
Become Your Best Self: Amelia A