Syracuse in their sights

TEN young people from Lockerbie Academy are celebrating after they were selected as this year’s Lockerbie Fellows.

Imogen Reid, Max Atkinson, Carly Black, Anna Byers, Megan Curry, Falon Oliphant, Amy Oliver, Emma Sloan, Joshua Thompson and Lewis White will travel to the American university campus this October.

There, they will represent their school and community in the Syracuse remembrance week, honouring the 35 students who were killed in the 1988 air disaster.

Announcing the successful cohort, who are all in S6, acting headteacher Kerry Currie said: “The Lockerbie Fellows programme is about much more than an opportunity to travel. It is about understanding and carrying forward a very special relationship that has existed between Lockerbie and Syracuse University for almost four decades.

“Our applicants demonstrated a deep appreciation of that connection and a genuine desire to contribute positively to their community.

“The standard was incredibly high, and all of the young people involved should be proud of their efforts.”

She says the opportunity will give the youngsters a chance to develop leadership skills, build lasting international connections and deepen their understanding of the history that links the two communities.

The selection process, described as ‘rigorous and extremely competitive’, involved application letters, creative pieces and panel interviews.

Ms Currie added: “The quality of applications was exceptionally high. Every applicant should be immensely proud of the effort they invested in the process.

“The ten successful Fellows now become part of a growing group of young people who have helped strengthen the ties between Lockerbie and Syracuse University. Through their participation in the programme, they will have the opportunity to learn from others, share memories from family members, and act as ambassadors for a community whose story continues to inspire people around the world.

“Their selection marks the beginning of an exciting chapter, one that honours the past while helping to shape the future of the relationship between Lockerbie and Syracuse.”