Year 13 student Alaa Alhayek has been named the recipient of the Barbara Milburn Award, which is given to a girl showing lots of promise at Upper Hutt College.

Nominated by Year 13 Dean Ingrid Hofsteede, she says Alaa is an incredibly hard working young person who has overcome a lot of personal challenges in order to do so. 

"Alaa and her family have been a part of the UHC community for a few years now.  She demonstrates the school values to a high standard every day" says Ms Hofsteede.

UHWHO (UH Women Helping Others) raise funds for various causes, one being the Barbara Milburn Award which awards $500 yearly to a promising girl at Upper Hutt College.

Barbara Milburn was a teacher in the Hutt Valley for many years and along with her husband Jim established Price Milburn, a highly respected and successful publisher of books for primary school readers which are still used in schools today. She was a colleague of with a huge passion for helping others.