News » Our brightest pupils are honoured by top award
Our brightest pupils are honoured by top award
08/01/2008 :: Northern Ireland :: The Belfast Telegraph
Three young academics have been recognised by one of Northern Ireland's most prestigious accolades, the Hans Sloane Award.
The three highest achievers in A level physics, chemistry and biology were awarded a monetary prize as well as a Hans Sloane certificate.
Guest speaker Garth Earls, director of the Geological Survey of Northern Ireland, presented the first prize of the Hans Sloane medal to former Sullivan Upper School pupil Richard Montgomery.
Richard, who is from north Down, achieved the highest aggregate marks in Northern Ireland in A level biology, chemistry and physics and is now studying mathematics at Cambridge University.
The second prize was awarded to former Belfast Royal Academy pupil Dean Montgomery who is currently reading natural sciences at Cambridge University.
Catriona Gribben achieved the third highest marks in Northern Ireland in the three sciences.
She is a former pupil of St Patrick's Academy in Dungannon and is currently studying medicine at the University of Glasgow.
Established in 1960, the Hans Sloane Memorial Fund was founded to commemorate the life and work of the notable physician, scientist and collector Sir Hans Sloane.
Sean Nolan, chairman of the Trustees of the Hans Sloane Memorial Fund, said the Memorial Fund has been celebrating outstanding achievement in science for nearly 50 years.
"Northern Ireland has a proud history of academic excellence and the Hans Sloane award is in place to recognise our most intellectually able young scientists," he said.
Mr Nolan added: "Richard, Dean and Catriona had outstanding A level results and are well worthy of recognition and applause."