Shaliny is an extraordinary individual whose journey from India and Sri Lanka to Uxbridge College in 2020 has been nothing short of inspirational.
Shaliny has overcome displacement, and disruptions in her education but has achieved remarkable success academically and beyond.
Shaliny's journey at Uxbridge College has been nothing short of stellar. She wasted no time in making new friendships at College and then making her mark by emerging as the top-performing GCSE student and later joint top AS Level student. Recently, she achieved the remarkable feat of becoming the highest-performing A-Level student, securing a jaw-dropping four A* grades across her subjects. It's a testament to her dedication and unwavering commitment to her studies.
Shaliny said: “The diversity of the student population made me feel like I really belonged at the College. Throughout my journey I received a great level of support from the staff. I was able to develop so many different skills, each of which has helped to give me confidence and a positive head start with my future. I think my biggest achievement during my time at Uxbridge College was winning the Student President election. I also organised an art project which involved the whole college - I consider the execution of this project a big achievement. The 4 A*s in A-Levels are also a big milestone for me in my path towards higher education.”
As well as serving as an outstanding Student President, Shaliny also volunteered to support several organisations often giving up her holidays to help elderly people with disabilities in hospices.
The hunger for excellence
Yet Shaliny's achievements extend even further. She has actively participated in a wide range of extracurricular activities, showcasing her dedication to personal growth and development. Among her many accomplishments, one that stands out is her attainment of the Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award. Her hard work and commitment earned her the honour of attending Buckingham Palace to receive this prestigious award and celebrate her exceptional achievement. She was also a Jack Petchey Award winner and used her monetary award to create a painting of the renowned educational reformer Paulo Friere, involving students to paint a piece of the artwork.
Shaliny's ambition doesn't stop there. She has already secured places to study medicine at three universities and she has just accepted her place for Imperial College London! However, her determination and drive has continued. She opted for a gap year. Her goal? To teach and work with a local charity to educate orphaned children in Chennai, India, as well as pursuing her literary interests in her mother tongue, Tamil, with the hopes of publishing in the future. Her hunger for excellence and her pursuit of her dreams are truly commendable.
Shaliny’s story is a testament to the power of resilience, determination, and unwavering ambition. As Shaliny continues her journey, we have no doubt that she will continue to reach new heights and inspire others to chase their dreams relentlessly.