Shortlisted Enfield students miss out on black achievement awards (From Enfield Independent)
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Shortlisted Enfield students miss out on Black Child Academic Achievement Awards
10:50am Thursday 11th October 2012 in News By Hermione Wright
MP Diane Abbott with A-Level shortlisted girls Yewande Adesida, Adekonyinsola Aromolaran, Samara Linton and Sonia Mason
Three young people from Enfield missed out on winning a black achievement award at the House of Commons last night.
However, shortlisted students Samara Linton, Adio Kokayi and Mohammed Mohammed were congratulated for their hard work during their A-Levels at the London Schools and the Black Child Academic Achievement Awards ceremony.
Hackey North and Stoke Newington MP Diane Abbott presented the awards with special guests including broadcaster Sir Trevor McDonald, Olympic champion Christine Ohuruogu and former Spurs and England defender Ledley King.
Samara Linton, who studied at The Latymer School, in Haselbury Road, Edmonton, before starting the University of Cambridge this term, was shortlisted for her impressive three A*s and one A at A-Level as well as her charity work.
The 18-year-old was one of four young people to be shortlisted for the A-Level Outstanding Achievement girls award, but lost out to Sonia Mason, from Haberdashers’ Aske’s Knights Academy, in Bromley.
Mohammed Mohammed, from Oasis Academy Hadley, in Bell Lane, Enfield Wash, was shortlisted for his two A*s and one A grade at A-Level, as well as completing charity bike rides to raise money for schools in Uganda.
Adio Kokay, who lives in Southgate but attends Mill Hill County High School in Barnet, earned his place on stage by achieving three A*s and one A at A-Level as well as volunteering at the North London Hospice.
However, Hadyn Kankam, from The Campion School in Romford, won the A-Level award for the boys with his four A* grades and his active role in football and cross country teams.
All the shortlisted students won Kindles and were presented with certificates to mark their success.
Ms Abbott, who has run the awards with investment bank UBS for seven years, said: “If you are wondering what’s next, who the next stars are going to be, the people here will be the stars and leaders of our future.”
Sir Trevor said it is "absolutely rubbish" when people say it is easy to succeed. He said: "There is only one way of doing it and it is hard work."
