A FLINTSHIRE sixth form student finished runner-up in a national student of the year award.

Neve Parker, who studies at Hawarden High School, took home second place prize in a national science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) student of the year award.

The award for A Level students is sponsored by the late Dr Tom Parry Jones OBE, who invented the breathalyser, and is in conjunction with the Engineering Education Scheme Wales.

Last Thursday, Neve travelled down to Cardiff for an awards ceremony at the Vale Hotel Resort.

The 18 year old worked in partnership with other students over a nine month period, given a real engineering design brief that they needed to work through and solve.

In Neve’s case, this was with US defence contractors Raytheon, whose UK base is in Broughton. She then had to go through a recommendation, nomination, shortlisting, application, interview process all before then being shortlisted.

While Neve worked in a team, to be formally nominated as a STEM student of the year, each student is individually assessed. Neave was the only one nominated by the the industry partner, Raytheon, for the award. Neve Parker said: “I am absolutely over the moon with the award, I have thoroughly enjoyed being apart of the EESW STEM 6th form competition. As an individual it is amazing to be recognised for all of my hard work and commitment in receiving the EESW student of the year, runner up.

“I have always had a passion for engineering and having been involved with various projects within my school, Airbus, The Rotary Club, Engie, go4set and Raytheon and all have created a huge bank of valuable work experience for me.”

Rebecca Williams, head of Chemistry at Hawarden High, said: ''It's an absolutely fantastic achievement for Neve to finish runner up in such a prestigious and competitive award.

''I've seen Neve work on numerous STEM projects over the years and I can't think of a better person to represent the school and to be runner up in the student of the year award.

''She is a role model for other students, and is a credit to herself and the school.''