A Warwick student who swapped a career in marketing for floristry has been named Student of the Year at Moreton Morrell College.
Amanda Stagg, 48, enjoyed a successful career as a marketing director for more than 20 years but decided to switch careers and pursue her passion of floristry.
She has now completed a Level 3 Floristry course at Moreton Morrell College, which is part of college group WCG, and been named the college’s top student in the process.
A total of 33 awards were presented on the awards evening at Moreton Morrell College, with students from a wide range of courses recognised for their achievements.
Staff, students, parents and guardians attended the seventh annual student awards – which were being held in-person for the first time in three years.
Amanda, who works at Green and Wild Flowers in Warwick and had already completed a Level 2 course at the college, is also a student volunteer at the college and has helped to create a cutting garden which has become a valuable teaching resource.
She said she was shocked to receive the Student of the Year prize. “I’m absolutely overwhelmed. I don’t think I’ve ever won anything before, so I was gobsmacked when I found out I had won,” Amanda said.
“This was a big career change for me. I had been a marketing director for 20-odd years but wanted a change of direction and a chance to be more creative.
“I decided to take my hobby of flowers and the garden, and turn it into something I could do as a career. Jane Benefield, my tutor at the college, has been amazing, supportive and inspiring throughout.
“It’s been great to be able to put what I’ve learned at the college into practical, commercial use at the florists I work at in Warwick. I’m coming back to Moreton Morrell to study my Level 4, hopefully continue to progress my skills and perhaps compete in some competitions too.”
Jane Benefield said: “Amanda has shown a huge commitment to her learning and goes above and beyond what is expected.
“She is a cheerful and positive student, who is always keen to share her practical floristry knowledge and help her peers develop.
“Amanda is a deserving winner of Student of the Year and we wish her all the best as she progresses through her floristry career.”
Students from a range of courses were recognised on the awards evening, including land-based studies, countryside management, agriculture, floristry, equine, farriery, sport, animal welfare, veterinary nursing, construction, maths and supported learning.
Peter Husband, College Director at Moreton Morrell College, said: “I’m pleased to have been able to celebrate the hard work our students have put in over the last 12 months in our first students awards ceremony for three years.
“We have a diverse range of courses and students at the college and that was evident with the vast array of awards presented on the evening.
“I would like to congratulate Amanda from everyone at the college on winning the Student of the Year title and look forward to welcoming her back to continue her studies with us at Moreton Morrell College next year.”
To find out more about studying at Moreton Morrell College visit www.wcg.ac.uk/study.