A PE teacher brought up in Highburton is looking forward to a date at Buckingham Palace.
Natasha Pearson, 26, a former student at Shelley College, was awarded the British Empire Medal in the Queen’s New Year Honours.
Natasha, whose parents Stephen and Marina still live in Highburton, now works in Hull.
She was honoured for services to education and voluntary service.
Natasha will receive her medal at a summer garden party at Buckingham Palace.
Natasha was responsible for a network of 500 volunteers when she was at Sheffield Hallam University and also set up a successful project called Shine and Smile to break down social barriers between special education and mainstream school children.
The project continues though Natasha is no longer involved.
Natasha, who now works at Sirius Academy in Hull, said: “It is nice to be recognised down the line for something I have done.
“Having started a new job in September I don’t have much time left for voluntary work but it is something I would like to get back to in the future.”
The date for the garden party is still to be set.
