This year’s Tony Wood Award, presented by Aljezur International School, has been won by year 8 student, 13-year-old Koren Morez. The annual award is given in memory of retired fire chief Tony Wood, a dear friend and valued supporter of the school who died in December 2011 at the age of 52 following a short battle with cancer.
The award was first presented in 2012 and every year students are asked to nominate three of their peers who they feel have shown compassion, empathy and kindness throughout the academic year. The student with the most nominations is awarded the prize.
“I was very surprised when my name was announced,” Koren said, “because I expected an older student would win it. It means so much to me because it was my peers who nominated me for this award.”
Tony’s wife Sue, who lives in Lagos with her partner David, was there to announce the winners along with friends and family from the UK. Sue said, “It is wonderful that the school Tony was so fond of keeps his memory alive by presenting this award every year. Before he retired, Tony was presented with the Queen’s Fire Service Award at Buckingham Palace and it meant more to him than any of his other medals because his peers nominated him. It’s perfect that the Tony Wood Award is given in the same spirit.”
As part of the ceremony, all students were presented with “Being The Best At” awards which were announced by Tony’s family members, as well as awards for academic and sporting achievements.
For the first time, a new award was also presented in memory of another dear friend of Aljezur International, Tanya McGarrell, who passed away suddenly a year ago. “Tanya’s Love Love Love Award” will be presented every year to the student who has shown outstanding ability in the performing arts.
This year’s worthy winner was Year 13 student, Indigo Mayes Randisek, who has just finished her A level Drama studies and is starring in the annual Play in the Parque on Friday 4th July.
“Tanya was a close family friend who I have known since I was born”, said Indigo. “This award means the world to me.”
