SIX Ipswich students have won a $20,000 Harding Miller Education Foundation Scholarship to help continue their studies.
Frances Tyson, Hannah Payne and Trinity Mulheron from Bellbird Park State Secondary College were among 60 promising female students from Queensland public schools to be selected for Harding Miller scholarships.
Amanda Oliphant and Erica Manalo from Redbank Plains State High School and Alicia Barling from Bremer State High School also won scholarships.
The scholarships provide each recipient with more than $20,000 worth of assistance over four years.
More than 700 Year 9 students applied for the scholarships this year, which are for young women who are passionate about their studies, but who may lack opportunities to achieve their academic potential and dreams.
Through the scholarships, girls are supported in a variety of practical ways including with equipment, computers, internet connections, textbooks, tutoring and coaching, which they may otherwise not have access to.
The girls said the scholarships would help them overcome potential obstacles to their future academic pursuits.
First Nations student Frances Tyson said the scholarship would help her to break down stereotypes.
“This scholarship means opportunity, inspiration and a chance to achieve so much more,” she said.
“Being First Nations, many people look down upon you but with this I will be able to dispel these stereotypes.”
Her schoolmate Hannah Payne said she felt lucky to have been given the opportunity.
“I believe that it will be able to help me academically, provide me a better future, help with my school experience, and it is a very proud experience.”
The Harding Miller Education Foundation provides students with financial assistance to boost their academic devotion and achievements.
Harding Miller Foundation Executive Director Cara Varian said the scholarship recipients were selected because of their high academic potential.
“They are talented and dedicated, but they simply do not currently have access to the resources that they need to make the most of their education opportunities,” she said.
“Girls are more likely to complete high school and go on to pursue further education when they are supported with equipment, money for resources, tutoring and coaching, and that’s the type of support we are providing to these students.
“We want to support these high-potential young women to stay in school and to have the option going to university.”
Ms Varian said the Harding Miller Education Foundation focused on supporting the girls’ basic needs to complete their high school education.
“We get satellites installed in homes to make sure that the kids can get access to the internet. We supply noise-cancelling headphones if they don’t have a dedicated study space. We send out supermarket gift cards if families are having trouble with the groceries,” Ms Varian said.
“These are tangible, practical things which we can do to give young women a hand to complete their schooling and fulfil their potential.”
