Three cheers for Sussex students

The winners of the annual USSU Cheers Awards, dedicated to rewarding the good work done in societies and student media at Sussex, were announced last week. The awards, hosted by Activities Officer Dave Owen, were held at Lansdowne Place Hotel in Hove last week. The event was a swanky occasion, with attendees decked out in their finest suits and dresses, prompting USSU Education Officer Adam Farrell to say that the event was “Sussex Union with a touch of class.”

Among the big societies winners were Swing Society (Best New Society), Debating Society (Most Improved Society), and Palestine Society (Best Student Campaign). Liz Abrahams from Swing society said she had been “hopeful” that they would win the award beforehand but was “surprised” that they had. She continued by giving a shameless plea for more men to join, saying: “We have 25 women and 3 men so come along and meet us.”Alex Macleod, one of the Debating Society Executive, said “The debating society has improved because we have worked with alumni, local schools and other societies to try and support and encourage debate” before asking if anyone had found her trophy as she had lost it in between the party and her home!

Among the individual winners arguably the most prestigious student award, Personality of the Year, went to Luqman Onikosi for his tireless work in all areas of the Students’ Union, including Hear Afrika and the Dissertation Dash. Luqman, a Nigerian student who was almost deported last year before a student-led campaign helped him to raise the money needed to stay at Sussex, attributed the win to all those who had helped him stay in the country. “All I have done here is dedicated to those who have helped me stay here. Without their involvement and support I wouldn’t have been here in the first place.”

Other winners dedicated their victories to those who had helped their societies. Joy Adeniran, winner of an individual award and part of the ACAS exec, said “I would just like to say I couldn’t have achieved this without the rest of the executive.” Similarly Fernand Frimpong Jr, winner of Excellence of Innovation in Student Media, gave particular credit Dan Higgins, USSU Communications Officer, claiming that the man had helped him a lot in the past year. Tom Wright, head of The Badger Online and winner of the Overall Contribution to Student Media, said, only partially tongue-in-cheek, “this is the happiest day of my life. Hopefully this award going to the Badger Online lifts its prestige and we will be able to find some people to take over next year.”

“Arguably the most prestigious student award, Personality of the Year, went to Luqman Onikosi for his tireless work in all areas of the Students’ Union”

But the man of the moment was undoubtedly Graham Pentecost, the porter in Falmer House, who won an award for a lifetime of service to the students at Sussex University. When his award was announced the room spontaneously arose into a standing ovation to cheer a man who has done huge amount for Sussex over a number of years. Graham said that he wanted to thank everyone and then, looking visibly touched, told the students to “go and have a good night” before returning to his seat.

Later  on, the evening descended into a good old fashioned Run DMC style dance off, with particular highlights being the slick hips of Mr Pentecost and the romantic waltz between USSU Communications Officer Dan Higgins and Activities Officer Dave Owen. The event was a massive success so a special Cheers should go out to all those who organised it!