Yahoo News Tributes after sudden death of Devon teen just two days after last GCSE exam
The sudden death of a 'creative, witty and compassionate' Devon schoolgirl just two days after taking her final GCSE exam is being mourned. Mikelle Hardy Ingham, a pupil at Torquay Girls’ Grammar School and a popular presenter with local radio station Palm Torbay, passed away at home on June 16.
The 16-year-old had planned to return to the school’s sixth form in September and was keen to pursue her passion for music. She sat her last GCSE exam on June 14. Heartfelt tributes have been paid by her teachers at her school and Palm Torbay which said she was one of its most popular DJs.
Sarah Forster, headteacher of Torquay Girls’ Grammar School (TGGS), said: "She will be greatly missed by all students and staff who knew her and there will be a missing piece in our TGGS family. Students and staff are all deeply saddened by this event and our thoughts are with Mikelle’s family and friends at this time."
Read next:
Chloe Mcllwrath, head of Year 11 at TGGS, said: "She was creative, witty and compassionate, with a love for literature, writing and presenting. She brought unique energy and fun to the classroom: we will all miss her terribly."
In a statement issued by the school, it assured students are being supported and that a celebration of life is being organised in memory of Mikelle.
It said: "Teachers and pastoral staff have been helping students to process this really sad news. The students in Mikelle’s year group have now finished their exams and left for the summer.
"We have invited them back into school so that they can come together as a group and support each other. Our school counsellors will continue to be available to offer further support to them and we will be coming together as a community in the coming weeks to celebrate Mikelle’s life.
"We ask that the family are given the opportunity to grieve in private at this very difficult time."
Mikelle joined Palm Torbay Radio last autumn and quickly worked her way up to securing her own slot every Wednesday at 9pm called the Mikelle Hardy Show. Her music tastes covered a multitude of genres from the 1960s to the present day which her listeners were said to have found 'remarkable' for a person of her age.
She has been praised for having put her 'unique spin' on all the music she played and for having 'fascinating banter' that enthralled her audience. Her colleagues have described her as being a budding radio presenter who was 'outgoing, enthusiastic and hardworking student' with a passion for new music, indie and rock and a love of entertaining people.
Her sense of humour, stories and chat were said to have attracted listeners of all ages and she has been described as being 'deeply missed'.
Jay Richards, managing director and licensee of Palm Torbay Radio, said: “As an owner of a radio station, I naturally see a large number of young people wanting to be part of our radio community, people from all walks of life, with varying levels of ability.
"In all my years of being in the broadcast industry working with young people, I have never come across a talent such as Mikelle had. She will be deeply missed and our thoughts are with her family and friends at this difficult time."
An inquest is yet to be opened into Mikelle's death which will be followed by a full hearing at a later date.
