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Students from across Herefordshire have graduated from their university studies with a First Class Honours degree.

They are among around 3,000 graduands who graduated from the ¹ú²úÊÓƵ in the historic Worcester Cathedral last week.

Among those to have achieved this in their studies at the ¹ú²úÊÓƵ this year are:

• Anna Varli, of Hereford, who achieved her degree in Applied Health and Social Care despite the pressures of the pandemic personally and professionally. She currently works as a support worker with adults who have learning difficulties and complex physical needs. “Studying during the pandemic was not easy, it was hard to motivate myself to join the online lessons from December and to fully give them all of my attention, with distractions of being at home, catching covid, trying to home school and work on the frontline,” said the 38-year-old former Herefordshire and Ludlow College pupil. “The support received from the tutors really helped. Although it was difficult to study in these circumstances, I feel that achieving a First Class has helped me to believe in myself more and has shown me that I can achieve my goals.”
• Brandon Caffull, of Ledbury, who earned his degree in Physical Education and Sports Coaching Science. He said: “It is an honour to achieve a First Class Honours degree from a university known for its high standards of education within the field of sport. The support that staff provide is second to none and allows each student to find their full potential and achieve the best they can.” The 22-year-old former John Masefield High School & Sixth Form pupil is currently studying for a PGCE with the hope of becoming a secondary school PE teacher.
• Midwifery student Chloe Trevena, 29, of Hereford, who said: “It was difficult juggling studying in my final year of midwifery, working full-time on the frontline and home schooling my son. I am fortunate to have the most supportive family and friends whom I could not have finished this degree without. I am really lucky to have the best people around me, including my midwifery cohort. We pulled each other through it. I am proud of them all. We have all had unique obstacles in our way that we have had to overcome, and we made it!”
• Ella Young, 21, of Bromyard, whose degree is in Early Childhood. She is studying with the ¹ú²úÊÓƵ for a teacher training qualification through the Early Years PGCE course. “I aspire to work with children who have experienced trauma, and adverse life conditions in the near future,” said the former Queen Elizabeth High School pupil. “Working with children within a Pupil Referral Unit on placement changed my career mindset completely, and this is something I have wanted to do for a while now.” During the pandemic, Ella took advantage of a collaboration the University did with India, teaching two children from India each week virtually. This supported them with their pronunciation of English, along with their English writing.
• Twenty-one-year-old Ellie Roissetter, who lives near Hereford, and studied Law. During her second and third year of study, the former Hereford Sixth Form College pupil volunteered for the Criminal Investigative Department (CID) at West Mercia Police. She is now working for them as a Victim and Witness Care Administrator. Her long-term goal is to work for the Police in CID. “It was the most rewarding experience of my life,” she said. “Being able to work on real life cases and support officers was incredible.  I have learnt so much from being given this opportunity and it has made me a more outgoing and confident person.” Ellie praised the lecturers during the pandemic, saying: “In terms of lectures, whilst they were held virtually, the quality of teaching did not change and it was still fantastic. I still felt that I was able to approach lecturers and ask for support.”
• Hannah Williams, 21, who lives near Hereford, whose degree was Criminology with Policing. The former St Mary’s RC High pupil is continuing her studies at the ¹ú²úÊÓƵ with a Master’s in Understanding Domestic and Sexual Violence. “Having finished my degree, I really wanted to expand and develop my knowledge on domestic and sexual violence,” she said. “My career aspiration is to work within this field, whether that be in a policing or charitable service capacity.”
• Rosanna Green, who studied Law, and said: “My aspirations of being awarded a degree have spanned many years; however, as a single mother with a career I always felt as though it was an unattainable dream. In 2018 I decided to make my dream a reality and treated my law degree as a full-time job. Through hard work and making sacrifices I achieved my First Class Honours.” With aspirations of becoming a Family Law Solicitor in the future, the 33-year-old, of Hereford, has just started her combined Legal Practice Course and LLM Master of Laws.
• Monika Chasazyrovaite, of Ledbury, who took Business & Marketing. The 22-year-old is now flourishing in the brand marketing team of a leading female technologies app, FLO, which is used for period tracking. “My long-term dreams of course are to embrace the media, acting and films world. I have always enjoyed being surrounded by people and creativity, working with a mission,” said Monika, a creative performer since early childhood and former champion of rhythmic gymnastics in Lithuania.

The University’s Deputy Vice Chancellor and Provost, Professor Sarah Greer, said: “The class of 2021 showed remarkable resilience and determination in the face of some unprecedented challenges during their studies, due to very difficult external circumstances.  They have all done so well in earning a degree from Worcester, through their hard work, perseverance and dedication. This should stand them in good stead as they move into their chosen careers. Our students who earned a First Class Honours should feel particularly proud of themselves – it is an outstanding achievement. Many congratulations to them and I wish them all the very best in their future careers. I would also like to thank our outstanding staff at the University, who went above and beyond to ensure that our students reached their full potential.”