Melissa Eades, 19 from Grays has been shortlisted as a finalist for the Mayor's Award at this year's Thurrock Civic Awards.

Melissa left Palmer's College this summer after gaining a triple distinction in BTEC National Diploma in Health and Social Care.  This is the highest grade possible and something that Melissa was determined to achieve.

Her hard work and determination is commendable and now is fulfilling her ambitions of going to university. Melissa first enrolled onto an A-level programme in 2006 but found it too stressful and demanding, fuelled by her short term memory problems (side effect from her medication). Although, she received regular essay writing help and general support and advice from the College’s Study Plus Centre.

After speaking to her personal tutor, who she describes as being “invaluable” she was reassured that leaving was probably not the best option but to possibly consider enrolling onto a BTEC course, which is vocational and less intense than A-levels.

Melissa was diagnosed with Epilepsy at the age of 3 and has lived with her long term illness all her childhood. She has frequent visits to the hospital in between her studies but refuses to let her illness dictate her life. She has always felt different because of her condition, which has made it difficult to make friends at College, however this has certainly not effected her aspirations of going to university.
 
Mark Vinall, Principal of Palmer's College said: "Melissa is a true inspiration to Palmer’s College students with her determination in being a success at College and not giving up her education even though it has been an extremely tough journey. Her sheer strength and bravery in overcoming her personal barriers is remarkable.  She sincerely deserves to win this award."