The spotlight was shining on a University Centre Shrewsbury (UCS) student when she was chosen from three finalists to win a Shropshire award.

History student Holly-Elizabeth Smith was presented with the Shining Star Adult accolade at the 2017 Dyslexia Awards on Saturday 25 November 2017.

The awards celebrate the strengths and achievements of people with Dyslexia, a learning difficulty that can cause problems with reading, writing and spelling. It is estimated that up to one in every 10 to 20 people in the UK has some degree of Dyslexia.

Holly said:

“What an evening. Being handed this award shows that hard work really does pay off.

“The support of those who nominated me, and my friends and family at the awards, means the world to me. Thank you so much.”

Holly has shared her experiences as part of a ‘Dyslexia, It’s Not What You Think’ campaign at UCS to highlight different ways it can affect people’s lives, and break down misconceptions.

Comments from the people who nominated Holly included “Holly is such an inspiration” and “Holly wants to go into teaching to help with children that have Dyslexia and support them, a different wired brain can be wonderful”.

Holly was among the first undergraduates to study at UCS. She is a Student Ambassador, representing the institution at Open Days and other events. She also received the Best Student-Led Campaign award at the 2016 End of Year Ball for her awareness-raising activities during International Women’s Day, and the Fundraiser of the Year Award at the 2017 End of Year Ball for raising more than £1,000 for various charities. Holly’s fundraising included organising The Magnificent Severn sponsored row to buy adapted equipment for people to use at Pengwern Boat Club in Shrewsbury.

Holly was nominated in one of 14 categories at the Dyslexia Awards, held at Enginuity in Coalbrookdale, Shropshire.

For more information about the awards go to www.theddc.org.uk/dyslexiaawards.

For further details about UCS go to www.ucshrewsbury.ac.uk.