High flying students got the chance to take to the stage at one of the hottest new venues in town this week.
The Stockton Globe played host to graduating students from Stockton Riverside College.
The show-stopping event put the spotlight on the academic achievements of those completing higher education certificates, foundation and full honours degrees.
With last year’s event put on hold due to the pandemic, this was a chance to celebrate both the classes of 2020 and 2021, surrounded by friends and family.
“Graduation ceremonies are joyous and at times emotional occasions as we share our graduate’s excitement, applaud their achievements and celebrate their success,” said Stockton Riverside College principal, Lesley Graham.
“The last 18 months have been exceptional but I never fail to be amazed by how our students have withstood the additional challenges that the pandemic has added to our daily lives.”
Proud of all they have achieved, she added: “Today’s graduating students have had to deal with a myriad of competing priorities, such as juggling home schooling with work or looking after extended family and relatives and yet they have still managed to make time for their studies.”
Stockton Riverside College delivers its higher education courses in partnership with Teesside University.
Standing up in front of an audience of her fellow students as valedictory speaker, was Ingleby Barwick mum-of-two, Charlenne.
Completing her BA (Hons) Education and Training (Supporting Teaching and Learning) in 2020, the 40-year-old from Ingleby Barwick said: “It was so disappointing when last year’s graduation had to be postponed and we feared it would never happen. So, to be here today, surrounded by our friends and family, feels amazing.”
PGCE student Louise, 40, got to enjoy the moment with her mum and dad. Returning to her studies during lockdown, she said, for her, the course delivered more than she could have expected.
The Hartlepool mum-of-two explained: “I did my placement with the college and after a few weeks I knew it was somewhere I would want to work. At first I got some hourly paid work and then when a job came up as a foundation skills tutor I applied.”
Describing the day she got the call to say she had got the job as “one of the best days of my life”, she added: “It felt like all the hard work had paid off.”
Charlenne and Louise were among 173 students celebrating their own success stories at Stockton Globe.
Head of marketing and communications, Rebecca Baker, said: “As a newly opened venue in the area, we were delighted to work alongside Stockton Riverside College to host today’s graduation and show support to the rising stars of our local community.
“The Stockton Globe is a versatile space that can be used for a variety of events and today’s graduation ceremony is the perfect example of this. It was wonderful to see the graduates along with family, friends and staff members celebrating such a great achievement and we were honoured to make the day even more memorable. We look forward to working with Stockton Riverside College on projects and events in the future.”
