THE REVEAL: Cambridge’s Top 10 BNOCs 2023

After stressing that I would have to go through each vote one by one manually, I was half relieved and half sad to lose my excuse for doing no work when Google forms spat out 2023’s top 10 Cambridge BNOCs automatically. You’ve been voting over the past week and finally it’s the list you’ve been waiting for…

So get ready to scroll through the names for 2023 and discuss, heavily judge, and wonder still who some on this list are. Enjoy and make sure to take notes for how to become or avoid becoming one yourself next year.

10. Sarah Abbas

Percentage of students that know her: 21.6%

Image credits: Sarah Abbas

9. Vivek Bilous

Percentage of students that know him: 22.2%

Image credits: Vivek Bilous

Pronouns: he/him

Year, Subject and College: Second year Law student at Christ’s

Reason for nomination: I was down bad on the offer holder group chats.

Reaction to winning: At least I’m not a Union Hack 🙂

8. Sam Carling

Percentage of students that know him: 26.6%

Image credits: Sam Carling

Year, Subject and College: Third Year at Christ’s, studying Natural Sciences (Pathology)

Reason for nomination: Probably because I seem to be running in an election every five minutes. Or maybe because of my opinionated comments for Varsity news stories?

Reaction to winning: In all honesty, it’s quite fun. At least it gives me some confidence that the student body I represent on heaven knows how many committees does, to an extent, know who I am!

Autographs will be signed in exchange for votes whenever I’m next up for election for something. [Legal disclaimer: that is a joke.]

7. Amelia McDowell

Percentage of students that know them: 26.9%

Image credits: Amelia McDowell

Pronouns: she/they

Year, Subject and College: Second year MML at Kings but I intermitted in November, so in a way I’m just the silliest fresh.

Reason for nomination: My spectre haunting the Revs smoking area.

Reaction to winning: meme below.

6. Lily Maguire

Percentage of students that know her: 27.3%

Image credits: Lily Maguire

Pronouns: she/her

Year, Subject and College: Third Year History and Politics at Murray Edwards

Reason for nomination: For my contributions to academic scholarship!

Reaction to winning:  💋 💋 💋

5. Keir Bradwell

Percentage of students that know him: 29.5%

Image credits: Keir Bradwell

Pronouns: he/him

Year, Subject and College: MPhil Political Thought and Intellectual History at Queens

Reason for nomination: I can only assume it’s some kind of administrative error.

Reaction to winning: Well, I’ve received worse emails from student journalists.

4. Alex Horan

Percentage of students that know her: 31.9%

Image credits: Alex Horan

3. Sal Widdicombe

Percentage of students that know him: 33.5%

Image credits: Sal Widdicombe

Pronouns: he/him

Year, Subject and College: Second Year Chinese studies at Homerton

Reason for nomination: “The Tab is desperate for clout” – Caspar Lee, last week.

Reaction to winning: I, as a Cantab, can, and did, get in the Tab. So let it be said that I “can Tab”. On that note, I’ll sign off with a Cantab “can Tab” dab.

2. Max Ghose

Percentage of students that know him: 39.3%

Image credits: Max Ghose

1. David Quan 权丁文

Percentage of students that know him: 46.5%

Image credits: Nordin Ćatić for Varsity Basketball Match 2023

Pronouns: he/him

Year, Subject and College: Third Year Education (Policy and International Development) at Clare

Reason for nomination: ☕ Coffee’s on Me, David Quan 权丁文: https://linktr.ee/DavidQuan 权丁文

(Our unique personal stories and journey are genuinely precious and meaningful. So, please courageously nominate yourself or a friend for coffee/the Podcast, for which I strive to give guests legacy-worthy interviews that listeners can enjoy while cooking, commuting, relaxing, or walking their pets!)

Reaction to winning: For to whom much is given, much will be required; beyond the inherent light-heartedness of  this BNOC raillery, therefore, my reactions are of gratitude, humility, and responsibility.

Gratitude – because, for an international student whose childhood home is 10,000+ miles away, this nomination is a testament to the inclusivity of the thoughtful and kind-hearted individuals who form our diverse Cambridge community.

Humility – because, as a most fallible human being who has far more questions than answers, I recognise that my many mistakes, shortcomings, insecurities, and vulnerabilities, will be even more scrutinised and magnified.

Responsibility – because, having received so much, I aspire to pay it forward and positively influence others, to the best of my limited abilities, through an active commitment to serving the wider community.

Pro Deo et Patria

That’s it. This year’s top 10. If you didn’t make it, no worries, the race for 2024 starts now.

Featured Image Credits: Sophia Liversidge and Michelle Crees