50 Students who shaped the year: 20-11
The Yorker introduces our fifty students who shaped the academic year 2011-2012. The students on this list have made it for a variety of reasons: some have been the focus of the news over the last twelve months (both positive and negative!), some have done extraordinary things and others have just done something small but had a big impact on someone else’s life.
Regardless of their reasons for being on this list, The Yorker feels it represents the breadth and depth of the interests and passions of our student body and highlights those who shaped the year.
Disagree with who we've picked? Think we've missed someone important? Then don't hesitate to leave a comment below to get involved with the debate.
20 - University of York Pool and Snooker Club
Not many of York´s sports clubs can claim to be national champions, but that´s exactly what the University of York Pool and Snooker Club acheived this year.
Led by club captain Sam Wass, the first team won the BUCS Pool competition in Great Yarmouth last term.
´Off the pitch´, the club has also had a successful year, with charismatic president Sean Kelly ensuring that despite a lot of key players graduating this year, the club will remain as popular and as strong as ever.
19 – Sam Asfahani
It was an inevitability that York Sport´s popular president Sam Asfahani would end up on this list after another strong year.
Whilst he couldn´t quite lead York to a famous Roses victory on Lancaster turf, there is no doubt that he has significantly developed York Sport.
Witth the removal of York Sport membership fees for most students from the 2012 academic year, Asfahani has achieved something which he can point to as a real legacy from his time in office.
Charlotte Winter has some huge boots to fill. Well done Sam!
18 – Chris Lodge and Hugo Hill
Both college RAG officers, this duo has raised money tirelessly for charity throughout the year.
They make this list for the highlight of it: Mr and Mrs York at RAG Week 2012, where Chris and Hugo, as hosts for the evening, made the event entertaining and appealling, as well as successful.
Indeed it was the enthusiasm of the pair which ensured that the event was enjoyable throughout, and they should be commended for their efforts.
Overall, RAG Week 2012 was the most successful to date, raising over £10,000 for the Union´s chosen chairties – a success for the entire RAG team.
17 – Will Handley
Langwith College´s Disability Access Officer is one of the most popular men in Langwith, something recognised by the college when he was chosen to carry the Roses torch on behalf of the college.
One nominator told The Yorker: “I don't believe there's a person in Langwith who doesn't know him because he's at every event, be it sport, a night out or something like 'Langwith's Got Talent'.
“He cares about his college and his friends above everything else, and he will be sorely missed when he leaves!”
Handley stands out for his dedication to other students in particular, and his work for a variety of Langwith students makes him a great role-model for students.
16 - Dina Mostafa
Postgraduate Computer Science student Dina Mostafa has played a crucial role in the Islamic Society over the past couple of years.
She was instrumental in developing the university´s policy towards providing a wide range of cuisine, and in particular Halal meat. These developments have ensured that Muslim students have access to Halal food on campus.
In addition, she has worked hard fund-raising for the people of Syria by organising events such as a food stalls.
One nominator told The Yorker: “She has inspired a lot of people.”
15 – Adam Bennett
Determined to help his ill friend Matthew Stein who needs a lung transplant, second year Adam organised Derwent Donor Day to encourage students to find out more about organ donation and offer their organs in the future.
This selfless and carind act highlights Adam´s compassionate and kind nature and has sparked a positive response across campus, something that could help to save thousands of lives.
One nominator said of Adam: “A nomination I did not want to forget once I remembered, Adam Bennett organised an organ donor day in aid of his very ill friend who had a lung transplant when he was young, but took a negative turn with it.”
14 – Tim Ellis
Like his predecessor, Ellis has not been a firebrand radical President. Where Ellis´s skills lay however has been in his hard work and efficiency.
There can be no doubting the skill and effort the former Goodricke chair has put into the role, often choosing the success of his projects to speak for themselves.
It is unlikely that Ellis will be remembered for reforming YUSU, or his big campaigns. He will perhaps be remembered for something more important than that: his unerving skill, commitment and dedication to students which means Ellis leaves university as an almost unanamously popular figure.
13 – Kate Elliot
As a Body Gossip Ambassador, Kate works tirellessly to bring the national campaign to campus and make York students comfortable in their own skin.
YUSU RAG´s Vice Chair for Colleges has made a name for herself as someone who has been dedicated to improving the lives of students.
Her involvement in the beat-bullying campaign, work with body gossip and frequent articles for The Yorker on issues important to students means that Kate stands out as an individualwho has tirelessly given her time to help others.
Great work Kate!
12 – Tom Lynch
We felt it would be most apppropriate to print Tom Lynch´s nomination in full:
“Tom Lynch graduated last year, and instead of accepting a good job offer, he went to be a ski rep in France. Tragically he died whilst out there.
“I never met Tom, but he was a dear friend to many of the people I know in Langwith. All the people who knew him wrote messages on the walls our the Corner Room, and sitting in there now you can't help but feel emotional.
“As I said, I never met Tom, but he shaped my year because the way everyone reacted to his death showed me that the friends you make here in university will never forget you.
“Also, it was amazing to see everyone pull together, supporting each other through a time of grief, and listening to them remembering Lynch and the fondness with which they spoke of him.
“I feel like he was one of my best friends, not someone I never met, purely because of the way people speak of him.
“Rest in Peace mate, I hope I can make such a big impact on one person as you had on so many!”
11 - Lewis Haines
If you are looking for a man who has consistently and tirelessly put the welfare of others ahead of himself, then look no further than Lewis Haines.
He has completed over 900 hours of shifts for Nightline as a volunteer, setting up the instant messaging service as well as sitting on Nightline’s national committee, being YUSU’s Liberation and Welfare Assembly Chair and EWD Ordinary Member.
There was probably no more deserving a winner of YUSU´s awards than Haines, who recieves the accolade for ´commitment to student services´.
It was unfortunate for Haines that his only chance of becoming YUSU Welfare Officer was in a year where popular incumbent Bob Hughes was running against him. He would surely have beaten any other candidate.
Any student who wants to make a difference should model their university career on Lewis´s to mirror to great affect he has had here at York.
