Outstanding Students Shortlisted for the Lord Lieutenant Awards

Two talented Loughborough College students have been shortlisted in the prestigious Lord Lieutenant’s Young Person of the Year Awards 2022.

The competition has been whittled down to just three individuals for each of the five categories in the search for the young people who have made the biggest difference or shown outrageous talent in Leicestershire.

Loughborough College students Frances Miller, 18, and Ciaran Lennon, 17, both from Leicestershire are hoping that their skill, character and contribution to the community will leave them standing proud.

Frances and Ciaran were nominated by Loughborough College staff members after being recognised for their passion and dedication to their impeccable skill and willingness to guide others in the community.  

Frances juggles her A-Level qualifications in Biology, Business, Geography, and playing football for the Loughborough Foxes and volunteering for the charity, Molly’s Gift, where she provides the opportunity for disabled and disadvantaged young people to get involved in sport.

She has been shortlisted for the Young Volunteer of the Year Award which represents an individual that has enhanced their community, helped a relative or neighbour and has led a sports-based club or society.

Her Loughborough College tutor, Seran Bradley, described Frances to be humble and hard-working and said: “Frances’ contribution to the community is incredible. She spends every Saturday morning volunteering at the Molly’s Gift activity programme as well as holidays and the charity’s week-long summer camp, on top of her coaching and refereeing activity at Loughborough Foxes where she trains the U12s team.

“She shows a huge amount of maturity and it’s so heart-warming to know that these children have somewhere to go. Not all children have opportunities so it’s great that they can get top coaching and support from passionate, lovely people like Frances.”

Ciaran has transformed from a shy individual into an artistic all-rounder with his versatile and expressive skillset. From fine art to graphic design, Ciaran has achieved nothing less than distinctions across the board and his work has been displayed on multiple College Open Days encouraging prospective students to enrol on the course.

He has been shortlisted for the Young Artist of the Year Award, also known as the Joe Humphries Memorial Award, which is awarded to a young person that has demonstrated real skill and innovation in visual arts, expressive arts, literature, or music.

Gary Stefanetti, Curriculum Manager for Creative Arts and Art and Design at Loughborough College, said: “There is only one way to describe Ciaran’s work – breath-taking.

“He is an extremely likeable character and is a significant inspirational figure in class and among his peers. Ciaran’s progression has been phenomenal and he is always willing to guide others on how to improve their work.

“Ciaran will be moving on to study a BA (Hons) Game Art degree at De Montfort University in Leicester but realistically his work is so extraordinary that he could study any art-based degree in the country.”

, Principal and CEO of Loughborough College, said: “To be nominated for a Lord Lieutenant Award is an incredible achievement and both students should be extremely proud.

“Frances’ passion for helping disadvantaged children embodies Loughborough College’s inclusive and diverse culture and our approach to giving back to the community. Ciaran’s development has been extraordinary and, with us, he has developed his skills and natural talent to produce a truly exceptional portfolio of work which has left staff, peers and parents in awe.

“On behalf of Loughborough College, we wish both students the best of luck.”

The students will find out if they’ve won at Her Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant’s Awards Evening and Celebration Dinner will be held at County Hall in Glenfield on 9th May 2022.