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Southern Regional College held its annual Celebration of Success award ceremony at the Canal Court Hotel, Newry, last Thursday 25 June 2026, recognising the achievements of its students across the academic year. Over sixty awards were presented, with students from Newry and the surrounding area featuring prominently throughout the night.
Excellence in Early Years Practice at SRC’s Celebration of Success. Lily is pictured
alongside Terry’s family and SRC Early Years staff. Pictured from left: Kevin Keenan,
Bernadette McMahon, Lily Corry, Barbara Rooney, Sheena Flynn, Niall Keenan
The awards included Student of the Year prizes across the college's four faculties, four Rising Star awards, forty-one Student Recognition Awards, Medals of Excellence for students successful at WorldSkills competitions, four Employer Choice Awards, and the student choice awards for 'Most Inspirational Classmate' and 'Best Team Player'.
The 'Most Inspirational Classmate' award went to adult returner student Daniel Nugent from Kilkeel, who was commended for his enthusiasm towards work and his willingness to help classmates overcome challenges by sharing his knowledge and experience. 'Best Team Player' was fellow adult returner student Cormac Hughes from Mullaghbawn, who organised study sessions and provided ongoing support to his fellow students. The 'Rising Star' award within the Faculty of Health & Science went to Isabelle O'Grady from Warrenpoint.
Student of the Year within the Faculty of Professional Services was Jochyl Mier from Newry, who works within ABP Food Group. Jochyl became the site's first female Beef Carcass Classifier, breaking new ground and setting an example for others to follow. She was also awarded the Institute of Meats Best Abattoir Worker and Apprentice in February this year.
the Level 3 STEM Car NI Racing Champions, Level 6 BEng Degree students making
up the Silverstone Formula Student team competing this July and WorldSkills UK
medallists in automation and mechatronics.
For the first time, the college presented the 'Terry Keenan Award for Commitment and Excellence in Early Years Practice'. The award honours the memory and legacy of Terry Keenan, a past SRC lecturer and first Coordinator of the Foundation Degree in Early Childhood Studies, and was presented by members of Terry's family to student Lily Corry from Newry. Lily is an Early Childhood Studies BA (Hons) student at SRC, having begun her journey with a level 2 Childcare programme before progressing through education levels to achieve an honours degree.
Employer Choice Awards were presented to students who impressed their employers through commitment and dedication to their job roles. Securing this award locally was Philip Hamilton from Kilkeel, a Level 2 carpentry and joinery apprentice employed by J and N Joinery. Other notable mentions included Ashleigh McCullough from Kilkeel, a Business HND higher level apprentice working with the Henderson Wholesale Group, and Michelle Burke from Newry, who has published several children's books alongside full-time employment and studying for her foundation degree in Early Childhood Studies.
Employer Choice Award at SRC’s Celebration of Success. Philip undertakes his
apprenticeship at SRC’s Greenbank campus and is employed by J & N Joinery.
Philip is pictured alongside girlfriend Paige Campbell.
The college's engineering students continued to perform strongly, with significant achievements throughout the further and higher education sphere. At Level 3, the NI STEM Racing Car NI Champions were honoured alongside their Level 5 Foundation Degree and Level BEng Honours Degree counterparts, who were successful in qualifying for the Student Formula racing competition at Silverstone in July, as well as national WorldSkills UK success in automation and mechatronics.
The college's sports teams also experienced success, with both the Higher Education football team and GAA team lifting silverware. The football team secured the College University Football Association of Ireland Plate, while the GAA team captured the HE All-Ireland GAA Final trophy.
Mrs Lee Campbell, Principal & Chief Executive of Southern Regional College, said: "Tonight's awards ceremony highlights the exceptional success and commitment of our students. Across all our campuses students have shown what is possible when ambition meets opportunity and when learning is matched by determination. Students who have overcome challenges, discovered passions, pushed boundaries and exceeded expectations. While we celebrate their success, we also look towards their future. Whether moving onto further study, employment, or new adventures, we hope that all our students are inspired - not just by their own achievements, but by the achievements of their peers. We congratulate all students who won awards and look forward to seeing what they will achieve."
