General News
10 July, 2022
Cairns school girl receives a $20,000 scholarship
A teenage student from Cairns State High School is a recipient of a life-changing scholarship worth more than $20,000 to help her stay and excel in school.
The scholarships are awarded to high-potential girls, who are experiencing low socioeconomic circumstances through the Harding Miller Education Foundation.
Executive Director Cara Varian says the Foundation’s scholarships provide the girls with a new laptop, high-speed internet connections, tutoring, career guidance and support to help cover the costs of uniforms, books and school expenses.
“Where these young women have faced barriers, we are offering them a pathway through school and potentially to university,” Ms Varian said.
“These students have the potential to become leaders in their fields, and we hope that the scholarship gives them the support they need to understand and achieve that potential.”
Alexa Barnaby is in Year 9 at Cairns State High School and is one of the successful scholarship winners; and said that it will offer real, tangible help.
“Experiencing personal and socioeconomic hardships has shown me how I don’t want my life to be,” Alexa said.
“I don’t want to struggle and fight to survive. It has given me the drive I need to succeed, and I know that a way to succeed is going to university.
“This scholarship will help me get to university, and with the additional tutoring, I want to get high enough grades that I will be offered another scholarship, later on, to help with the cost of studying at university.”
Ms Varian said that Alexa is one of 162 scholarship winners across Australia this year.
Numerous studies show education can be a key to breaking cycles of disadvantage, with some even showing that for every year a young woman stays in school, she can increase her potential future income by 25%.
“We’re pleased and proud to support these talented young women,” Ms Varian said.
“We want to encourage them to believe in themselves and know they are capable of anything they put their minds to.”
Ms Varian said applications would soon open for the next round of scholarships and encouraged girls from Year 8 who think they might qualify to apply.
“If you’re a girl in Year 8, who thinks that your lack of computer, internet or mentoring is holding you back from success, we’d love to hear from you,” Ms Varian said.
“And, of course, we would love to hear from more generous donors who can help us fund this program and the wonderful outcomes it is driving for young women.”
Applications for scholarships for 2023 will open from July 13 and close on September 14, 2022.
To find out more information, get involved or support the Harding Miller Education Foundation, please visit http://www.hardingmillereducationfoundation.org.au
