‘Apprentice’ star shares tips for top (From Blackburn Citizen)
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‘Apprentice’ star shares tips for top
10:07pm Thursday 8th November 2007 in Blackburn
TOP GUEST: Adam Hosker of TV's Apprentice, third from the right, and head teacher Gwen Onyon front, right, with some of the special award winners at Witton Park Business and Enterprise College, front, from left, Maxine Mercer, Cynthia Soka, and Leigh Lenn
A STAR of hit TV show The Apprentice returned to his former school to give leavers advice on making the best of their future.
IT expert Adam Hosker handed out prizes at the annual awards ceremony at Witton Park Business and Enterprise College, Blackburn.
Mr Hosker, who found fame on guru Alan Sugar's BBC1 business talent show, told those gathered at the Buncer Lane school they had to be focused on their goals if they wanted to succeed.
Praising pupils for their GCSE success, Mr Hosker, who has set up his own IT company and also works with Blackburn Rovers, said: "I want to talk about something that you can't take an exam in, but something that as an employer is extremely important - commitment and determination.
"These two virtues are fundamental to character and achievement, but fundamen-tally employment. Nobody owes you a living - you have to fight for jobs in this day and age, and when you get a good job, you have to work hard to achieve and progress and, ultimately, earn a lot of money.
"You must always remember the rewards that wait for you when you achieve your goals, let them drive you."
Speaking at the ceremony, headteacher Gwen Onyon said: "School life is not just about academic success. It is about how young people learn to interact socially and the way pupils engage with the community."
She added: "Our aim is to inspire all our students to achieve their full potential.
"You can be what you want to be. Have the highest aspirations. Don't settle for mediocrity, always try to do even better. Successful people in life know what they want and how they are going to get there. The most successful don't forget where they come from, they build on their friendships and work genuinely with others to achieve success."
- Award winners included - Headteacher Award: Cynthia Soka; Governors Award: Kallan Gorzella; Science Prize: Jordan Bethwaite, Jim Hutchinson; Maths Prize: Sabir Patel; Capita Business Prize: Sam Holt; George Kirby Special Sports Prize: Leigh Lennon; East Lancs Tile Company Sports Prize: Luke Charnley; Steven Anderton Award: Maxine Mercer; Achievement Leader Award: Garry Redhead.
