Media & Performing Arts http:// www. nrc. ac. uk FACULTY 2 Media students from the Ballymoney Campus have provided the visual component for the Ballymoney Sports Awards. This included video footage of all the short listed nominees, video coverage of the event and general media support leading up to and on the evening of the celebration. Richard Gormley, Ulster Sports Outreach Programme Manager at the University of Ulster said he was blown away by the spectacle of the awards ceremony, Richard continued, " From a spectators point of view it was flawless and faultless. The professionalism the NRC team and students shone through. It was without doubt the best Awards ceremony I have ever attended and a credit to the Northern Regional College for its ability to support and develop such talented students. I wish you all the best in the future and will not hesitate to recommend yourself and the department to anyone looking for expert teams in this field." Best Media Students 2009 Student Profile: Rachel McClintock Rachel attended Glengormley High School where she had a real interest in Drama. She joined the BTEC National Diploma in Newtownabbey in 2007 and quickly showed a flair for writing and an interest in film. Rachel achieved very good grades throughout her first and second years and she was noted for her conscientious attitude and her ability to organise her work both in practice and theoretical units. Her final year included a short film project which was very well executed and gained her the best marks in the year. She achieved her ambition by gaining a place on the Film Studies course at Queen's University where she is currently doing very well. Student Profile: Alan Deans Alan fulfilled his ambition to work in Media after completing the course in Newtownabbey. During his time at College he did work experience with Sky News in Belfast and with RTE News. He was offered employment after he completed his course and is currently working for a local media company who are contracted to cover news output from Stormont. Alan was an excellent student whose interest in broadcasting was fuelled by his involvement with the student radio station at the Newtownabbey Campus. 12

Best Performing Arts Student 2009 Student Profile: Ashton Kelly In my years at the Northern Regional College, I have developed a passion and love for the subject I was studying; Performing Arts. When you mention Performing Arts, people automatically think it is purely a practical course. Although this is true, to some extent, there are also academic units involved and these are interesting in themselves. Most people struggle to get up for school in the mornings, but I personally couldn't wait to get stuck into the tasks each day brought. I couldn't wait to see the enthusiasm pouring out from the tutors and students. Although the course must be taken seriously, there was never a day we didn't laugh uncontrollably, as did the tutors. The tutors really made the course something to look forward to. Their knowledge and creativity inspired me thus helping me to become the person I am today. The course gave me a " zest" for life and my only regret is that I am now finished and had to move on. I am currently studying a HND in Performing Arts in Belfast and hope to go on to University after completion. None of this would have been possible if I had not been part of the team at NRC. I am grateful for the course developing my confidence and the influential people that helped me to be the person I want to be. Student Profile: Michaela Elliott Although the National Diploma in Performing Arts is hard work, with sometimes, a lot of written work and evaluating, I really enjoyed it. I learnt that the evaluating allowed me the chance to reflect on my practical work and therefore improve as I went along. Anyone interested in the course would have to be prepared to work hard and have a keen interest in the Performing Arts: dance, drama and music. The work can be difficult to grasp, but once you get into it, its great fun. I made some really great friends through the course and together we helped each other through. After completing the two-year course, I didn't feel quite ready for University. My tutors recommended the HND in Belfast and following some research I applied and got accepted. I am enjoying the course but still keep close links with Ballymoney and look forward to going back to see their shows. Best Media Student Student Profile: Sade Ali This single- minded young person has gone on to achieve the highest award possible from her BTEC National programme - three Distinction grades, and has gained entry to the prestigious Game Art course at DeMontfort University. Sade is a student who impressed with developing powers of study, diligence in submitting work to excellent standards, and effective class and team work during the 2 years of her programme. Facing personal challenges in oral communication, Sade's quick wits, bright intelligence and her developing creativity permitted her to make most effective pitch presentations to wow her audiences of lecturers and classmates - possible the sternest judges of all for any student. Sade developed a highly focused approach to her studies and faced study challenges with a positive mental attitude permitting her to effectively tackle logical right- brain subjects with the same excellent outcomes as those left- brain creative subjects which come more naturally to this aspiring young Game Artist. Sade's diligent study has allowed her to make the most of her opportunities while studying at Northern Regional College, and she receives this award today for her committed hard work culminating in a triple D award in BTEC National Diploma in Media Production ( Games Design). Sade's achievement is the highest possible in the National Diploma scheme and the quality of her work has been acknowledged by her University in their award of a Scholarship to her in recognition of her high BTEC award, and further extended by an additional bursary in recognition of the excellent attendance record Sade achieved at Northern Regional College. This exceptional student is regarded by her tutors as their best student ever and they take this opportunity to publicly acknowledge her qualities of hard work, diligent effort and lively entertaining personality, and to pass to her their personal best wishes for the future. BBC correspondent Jeremy Mitchell being interviewed by NRC Television students. NRC Television student Andy Reid preparing for a live BBC broadcast of the Milk Cup. Top Performing Arts Student Student Profile: Matthew Doherty Matthew is a friendly, outgoing person who is honest and hard working. He is highly motivated, always polite and a good timekeeper, who has the ability to get the best out of all he endeavours to do. During Matthew's time on the National Diploma, he showed a natural ability in all aspects of the course but was particularly talented in drama. In all performances he was involved in, Matthew won the hearts of the audience with his charm, charisma and, vulnerability on stage. Matthew was a very reliable, enthusiastic student, always enhancing any group he worked with, experimenting with creativity and using good powers of analysis. He has the ability to use initiative and work as a member of a team. He took on board any challenges offered to him, always with a calm, well-organised approach to his work. Often he even took over the role of director and was fundamental in the designing of lighting and sound for end of year productions. Matthew's marks were usually Distinctions, his work was always submitted on time and to a very high standard, and he had a very positive approach to his studies. Matthew is now studying a Bsc Hons in Business and hopes to eventually combine his degree with his Performing Arts studies.