jan-13 - Lochwinnoch Online

David with JWC Principle and ProvostDavid with piperJames Watt College’sStudent of the Year 2012David Aitchison, of Station Rise, a unique andtalented student at James Watt College (JWC) hasbeen named Student of the Year 2012.He was awarded the prize at the College’s NorthAyrshire Campus Graduation Ceremony on Thursday29th November in recognition of his outstandingwork ethic and amazing accomplishments in the faceof adversity.David, 20, who suffers from the extremely rareGoldenhar Syndrome, which renders him deaf andmute, spent the first seven months of his life inhospital after being born with facial malformations,brain damage, and heart problems. Doctors predictedthat he would not survive. However, now he is in histhird year at JWC studying for an NC in ComputerGames Development.David’s class facilitator at James Watt College, LizGibson, nominated him for the award. She said:“Although David suffers from a number of difficultieshe has never let this impact on his abilities. He worksvery hard in all this classes and has amazed histeachers. He is a shining example to his class mates.It is an honour for me to work with David and I lookforward to him achieving his qualification this term.”Peter Aitchison, David’s father, said: “He has alwaysloved video games and animation ever since he was ayoung child and to be accepted to study this at JamesWatt College was brilliant news. During his studiesDavid has found a real passion for working withgraphics. He loves being able to create a world in thegames that he has control over and has passed everyexam.“David is a very modest young man but has told mehe’s delighted and amazed at being named Student ofthe Year 2012. He’s described having to stand up infront of his fellow students to receive the trophy asJames Watt College prize-winnersthe most significant moment of his life. As his parents,we are extremely proud of him and everything he hascome through. David will continue to study at JWCand hopes to be able to achieve his HNC soon, but fornow he’s just basking in the glory.”David’s ambition is to pursue a career in computergames development.We wish him every success.Marc McCay 10 years on from his heart transplant (seearticle on page 16) www.donorfamilynetwork.co.uk3