South Essex College’s Performance Student of the Year, Sean McDonald is nothing less than a force of nature.
The 18 year-old Music Practice student from Basildon earned the admiration and respect of both his tutors and peers by demonstrating his talents as a singer/pianist and offering help and support to his fellow students.
A model student you may think, but Sean’s achievements are all the more notable because throughout his studies he not only held down two part-time jobs but spent much of his free time as a young carer to his mother.
Sean explained: “I looked after my Mum whilst I was studying, but unfortunately her condition has recently worsened and she has had to go to receive specialist care which my family and I can’t provide.”
“Looking after her and holding down jobs as a drama and singing teaching assistant and working in a café was a challenge but I have achieved the results I wanted – in fact until I received my award last night I didn’t realise exactly how much I had learned and achieved.”
Sean said that the college had provided him with a really great platform, and a solid base to maybe pursue a career in the performing arts in the future
He said: “When I started the course I was headstrong and tended to work alone. The college has shown me the value of teamwork and given me loads of opportunities to perform. I feel now that I have real industry experience.”