From East Lothian Courier 8th Oct 2009

A PORT Seton gymnast mixed with some of music’s hottest stars at this year’s televised MOBO (Music of Black Origin) awards after being chosen to show off her skills on stage.

Lisa Aytoun appeared alongside chart-topping artists Lemar and X Factor winner Alexander Burke at the 14th annual MOBO awards, held last week in front of a capacity crowd at Glasgow’s SECC.

The 20-year-old tumbled onto the stage to help present awards after impressing organisers at an audition just days before the show.

“My friend phoned me and we went along to the auditions in Glasgow and I had to show them what I could do as a gymnast,” said Lisa.

“I had to hold a vinyl record and do tumbles at the same time as the vinyl was what the winner’s name was printed on at the awards show,” she explained.

“I was a fantastic experience going up on stage and being part of it and I got to meet a lot of people and celebrities who were all really nice to me backstage.

All my family and friends were really supportive and watched it on TV so it was great for them to see me perform.”

The awards ceremony featured the best of British and international urban music talent, and was held outside London for the first time in its history.

Among those who performed was Michael Jackson’s sister La Toya.

Lisa, of Gosford Road, is a former pupil of Preston Lodge High School and is in her third and final year of study at Dance for All in Edinburgh where she is completing a professional stage dance course.

As well as performing gymnastics within award-winning Midlothian TeamGym, Lisa also teaches dance and gymnastic classes and has been part of a group of dancers who recently got through to the second round of a new TV show to be aired on Sky One called ‘Just Dance’.

“We have just found out that we managed to get through the first round so hopefully we will be able to go all the way and it would just be fantastic if we were able to get through,” she said.

From East Lothian Courier 17th Sept 2009

Preston Lodge High School former pupil computer scientist has fought off fierce opposition to reach the final stages of a competition designed to find the UK’s most enterprising student.

Daniel Robertson won a place in the regional final of Shell Step’s annual search and now travels to Glasgow next month for the chance to reach the national finals in London.

The 21-year-old – studying Artificial Intelligence and Computer Science at the University of Edinburgh – took part in a Shell Step work experience placement at LEEP Recycling in Roslin and used his computing skills to produce a document formalising their business procedures, particularly in relation to their software system.

Daniel, of Schaw Road, said: “It’s great to get through to the Scottish final especially since the competition was so tough. I had a wonderful time at LEEP Recycling and will be doing more for them. The Shell Step placement has been invaluable to me. Not only have I been able to use my knowledge from my university course in a real business environment, but I’ve also improved my people’s skills and loved working in a team.”

Shell Step is a leading creator of tailored work placement programmes for students in small and medium-sized businesses.

A national network of skilled agents matches student applicants, from all academic backgrounds, to predefined business projects that take place over the summer during an eight week period.

Ken McLean general manager, LEEP Recycling said: “Daniel has been invaluable to us this summer. This is the third time we have been involved with the Shell Step programme, and we’d certainly recommend it. He has produced a comprehensive user manual that will be used to train staff that will save us time and makes us far more efficient. We wish Daniel the best of luck in the Scottish final.”

Daniel is pictured with a certificate by Alex Baird, plant installation manager at Shell’s Mosmorran facility in Fife