Sheree O’Neil from USP College has won the prestigious Keith Fletcher Award in the category of Outstanding Commitment to Study.
Sheree’s remarkable resilience, determination, and steadfast commitment to her education, despite facing numerous personal challenges, earned her the Gateway Qualifications nomination, and we are delighted that she has won the national prize.
Sheree with her certificate
Overcoming adversity with steely resolve
Sheree’s journey is nothing short of inspirational. Having left school with no qualifications, she embarked on her Higher Education journey as an adult learner, achieving GCSE English while managing a large family.
Her path has been fraught with significant obstacles during her Access to HE Diploma, including the bereavement of a close family member, a serious illness of another, the end of a relationship, and homelessness with her five children.
Despite being placed in temporary accommodation far from the college and her children’s schools, Sheree’s dedication never wavered. Living in a single room without a study space or proper resources, she maintained an infectious positivity that uplifted those around her.
Sheree said: “I have always been capable of success in everything I put my mind to, but life has not made that easy. I have learned that when a challenge presents itself, I can choose to let it defeat me, or I can work out a way to overcome it. I am rewiring my brain to solve problems, showing my children that nothing is impossible when you truly learn how to learn.”
Aiming for dual certification in Nursing and Midwifery
Throughout these trying circumstances, Sheree’s academic performance remained exemplary. She consistently attended classes, submitted her work on time, and rarely requested extensions. Her grades exceeded expectations, and she plans to become dual-certified in nursing and midwifery. Sheree has also developed strategies to overcome literacy challenges, both for herself and her children, demonstrating her remarkable ability to adapt and thrive.
Sheree said: “Access to HE has changed the course of my life for the better. Rather than relying on anyone else to provide for me and my family I will have the means to do so independently in a career where I can progress and fulfil my potential.
Tracey Page, tutor at USP College, said: “Sheree is an example of true grit, showing what a person can do when they truly put their minds to it. We are so proud of her and can’t wait to see the great things she achieves as she progresses into her career in health care. If all of us could be a ‘bit more Sheree,’ what a world we would live in.
Details about all winners are available on FE News.