WOHAA Awards Ceremony 2011-12
On the 19th of April 2012, 700 students from different schools attended the WOHAA Award Ceremony 2012 at Wembley Stadium. This years theme was ‘Heroes and Heroines’ and students did not fail to deliver some amazing costumes in order to represent their favourite hero or heroine.
Dr Sri Ram (CEO & Co-founder Wings of Hope) and Rajni Sriram (CEO & Co-founder Wings of Hope) hosted the evening at Wembley Stadium where every student who participated in the Wings of Hope Achievement Award this year was recognised and rewarded throughout the evening for all their efforts and hard work. The 32 teams that had got through to the semi-finals at the House of Lords waited with anticipation as Babita Sharma (BBC World News Presenter) opened the ceremony. Throughout the ceremony Babita kept the audience entertained as everyone waited in anticipation to see which teams would win an award.
Teachers, corporate partners (Arup, Capco, Tata Consultancy Services Ltd), supporters such as Baroness Verma (House of Lords), the Loveable Rogues (Musicians: Eddie Brett, Te Eugene, Sonny Muharrem) and the MP for Brent North Barry Gardiner also attended the event and were overwhelmed by the achievements of the students and by how much they had been able to accomplish throughout their WOHAA journey.
Baroness Verma, House of Lords, Dr Sri Ram (CEO & Co-founder of the Wings of Hope), Loveable Rogues (Musicians), MP Barry Gardiner (Brent North), Nupur Singh (Tata Consultancy Services Ltd) gave speeches and presented different awards. All the guests were amazed by the event and pledged their continued support for the Wings of Hope.
Entertainment was also provided throughout the evening with students from different schools giving various performances. These included various upbeat songs performed by the 88’s – a six piece band, Kathryn singing Beyonce – Love on Top, Becky performing a Queen Dance Tribute and Sahil playing the Tabla. Loveable Rogues, a new upcoming band that will be taking part in Britain’s Got Talent also wowed the crowd with their fresh talent and original songs. DJ Harrybo (previous resident DJ at Ministry of Sound) closed the evening by playing some amazing music for all the students to dance to.
Innovative student projects from this year included: a world record 61 hour radio show, a walk around the monopoly board, creating a signed birthday card for the Queen, Fashion Show, Golf Day and much more.
The overall winning team will receive an all expenses paid trip to India to see first-hand how the money they have raised provides and maintains the education of disadvantaged children. Winners will receive unique and valuable work experience placements with selected corporate partners including Saatchi & Saatchi, Edelman, Tata Consultancy Services and CAPCO.
Some guest reactions:
“It was an absolute delight to be there yesterday. The students have been brilliant and I really cannot wait to meet all of them and have them for our work experience” – Nupur Singh & Anshu Kapoor, Tata Consultancy Services Ltd.
“It was a great pleasure to see such fantastic talent, well done for this wonderful vision, our very best wishes to you all” – Baroness Verma, House of Lords
“It was a lovely evening. I’m so pleased I was able to be there for the award. I was also pleased to see how many other students from Preston Manor came along” – Ms Wilding, teacher at Preston Manor School
“We have lots of charities that we support at Malvern College but I was looking for a particular charity that would offer the pupils the opportunity to develop skills and that’s certainly what’s happened, they’ve learnt so much” – Ms Godsland, teacher at Malvern College
Awards were given to the following teams in the following categories:
Overall Winners
Team SMiLE Merchant Taylors’
Best Presentation
Winners: Team Asha Heathfield School
Runners Up: Team Athena Kendrick School
Most Innovative
Winners: Team Alantus Surbiton High School
Runners Up: Team Fashionistas Francis Holland School
Most Awareness Raised
Winners: Team Aquila Malvern College
Runners Up: Team Tired Nutters Archbishop Tennison
Runners Up: Team Euphoria Tormead School
Most Funds Raised
Winners: Team SMiLE Merchant Taylors’
Runners Up: Team Difference Newstead Wood Grammar School
Special Recognition
Team Be Positive, Stay Strong Preston Manor School
