Coleg Meirion-Dwyfor celebrated its outstanding learners at the 2025/26 Achievers Awards Ceremony, held at the Dolgellau campus. The annual event brought together proud families, friends, and staff to honour exceptional dedication and talent across the region.
Student of the Year Crowned
A-level student Chloe Rowe was crowned overall Student of the Year, receiving a trophy and a £200 voucher from Grŵp Llandrillo Menai CEO Aled Jones-Griffith. Jones-Griffith described her as an “exceptional student whose progress across her subjects has been outstanding.” Chloe is currently studying Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics and the Welsh Baccalaureate at the Dolgellau campus and is on track to achieve A* grades in all areas. Despite living with a long-term medical condition, she continues to challenge herself academically and consistently exceeds expectations.
Presenting the award, Mr Jones-Griffith said to Chloe: “You are a thoughtful, intelligent and reflective student who combines academic excellence with humility, determination and genuine intellectual curiosity. We have no doubt that you will continue to achieve exceptional success in the future.”
14 Inspirational Peers Recognised
Alongside Chloe, 14 other learners were recognised for pushing boundaries and excelling in their respective subjects. The winners were selected through a rigorous process where top lecturers nominated the most hard-working individuals from each discipline. The programme area manager then chose the winner for each subject. The principal selected the Student of the Year based on achievements and academic success.
The full list of winners includes: A-level (Sciences) and Student of the Year: Chloe Rowe; A-level (Humanities): Cali Hughes; Art and Design: Daryna Bandurka; Business: Courtney Riches; Computing: Harri Gwyn Jones; Construction: Kaylem Evans; Engineering: Sydney Meyerratken; Hair and Beauty: Brooke Roberts; Health and Social Care: Ashanti Nabbidoust; Health and Care with Child Care: Lilly-May Adams; Hospitality and Catering: Eira Murray; Skills for Work and Life: Osian Williams; Welsh Student of the Year: Elan Evans; Robin Llyr Evans Sports Shield: Owen Roberts; Glesni Davies Memorial Cup: Evie Holt; Cap i Gymru: Charlie Griffith and Owen Roberts.
Special Awards and Guest Speaker
Principal Dr Siôn Peters-Flynn presented trophies to programme area winners, as well as the Robin Llyr Evans Sports Shield and Glesni Davies Memorial Cup, both awarded in memory of former students to learners who excelled in sport. Dr Peters-Flynn also presented a celebratory cap to sports student Owen Roberts, who represented Wales in the sporting arena during the academic year.
Opening the ceremony, Dr Peters-Flynn said: “It is a personal privilege for me to be here to present these prestigious awards to a group of students who will be recognised for their hard work and dedication during the past year. Our award winners have been nominated as students who have gone that extra mile, who have broken down barriers or who have excelled in their subject. This is what makes these awards very special, and a privilege to present.”
The ceremony featured guest speaker Terry Tuffrey, a former Skills for Life and Work student at Coleg Meirion-Dwyfor. A native of Blaenau Ffestiniog, Terry progressed to a Step to Work course at the college and spent two years as President of the Students’ Union. He now works for Tinopolis and has presented the Heno programme on television.
