The English Literature team are recognising outstanding academic achievement by students completing the first year of their degree in both single honours and joint honours cohorts through this year’s Words Matter prizes. This year’s winners are English Literature student Sammie Waters and English Literature and Creative Writing student Celeste de Kuijper.
Level Four co-ordinator Dr Fraser Mann says that:
‘I’m really happy for Sammie and Celeste. Their dedication to the subject and their participation in university life are admirable. They have made rapid and remarkable progress and deserve real recognition for this success. They are both an asset to English Literature at York St John.’
On receiving news of the award, a delighted Sammie said:
‘As a mature student returning to university after a twenty-year absence, I started my degree with a mix of excitement and nerves. However, studying English Literature has become one of my most rewarding experiences. Winning the Words Matter Prize is an unexpected honour for which I am incredibly grateful. This recognition means a lot, as it is both an acknowledgement of hard work and a reminder that it is never too late to pursue things that challenge and inspire you.’
Celeste was equally happy and said:
‘This is wonderful news, I couldn’t have done it without persistently nagging my tutors!’
Sammie and Celeste will receive their awards during this year’s Words Matter Lecture https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/words-matter-lecture-first-ladies-in-popular-culture-tickets-1838128324299 .
We would like to congratulate them on their success and wish them all the best for the rest of their degrees.