VCE Achiever
Jacinta Scadden – Nathalia Secondary College
Jacinta from Nathalia Secondary College has earned a reputation within her school as a dedicated and passionate student leader.
One of Jacinta’s proudest achievements was co-directing and choreographing the Nathalia Secondary College musical production ‘Fairy Tale High’. Having initiated the project, Jacinta selected a script that allowed a high number of students to participate and liaised with teachers, students and her co-directors to ensure even the back-stage ran smoothly.
‘The production was a good chance for the younger and older students to get to know each other. It was also a great opportunity to build community spirit.’ Jacinta was keen to have the local community and parents involved with the production, as it helped cultivate a sense of community pride in a drought affected area.
‘It was a lot of hard work but it was all worth it. Just to see all the students perform and have a great time. That’s what the production was all about – giving everyone a chance to be in the limelight.’
Jacinta has a keen interest in the performing and visual arts. She has helped organise her school’s entry in the Rock Eisteddfod and performed in local amateur theatre productions. She also attended the Australian Youth Talent program, a creative multimedia workshop, in Canberra.
Jacinta participated in Kool Skool, a recording and multimedia competition that develops students’ talents in contemporary music performance. Her band Pretty Undead Things won the best pop/rock song category and was invited to play to a live audience in Melbourne.
Using her creative skills in multimedia Jacinta won a National Simpson Prize, which is an Australia-wide competition that commemorates the Anzacs and educates students in Australian wartime history. Her presentation explored the heroic qualities of Australians since 1945, as inspired by John Simpson Kirkpatrick. As part of her prize she experienced an Anzac Day dawn service in Gallipoli. Jacinta still regularly corresponds with many of the ex-servicemen and women she met on her trip.
‘I believe that the future of Australia lies in the hands of my generation and it is important to communicate with the older generations, to listen and to learn from their stories.’
As school captain Jacinta represented the college at the Urban Design Forum where she had a chance to discuss the future of Nathalia with the Governor of Victoria. As house captain she also actively participates in many sporting competitions.
In recognition of her leadership and academic qualities Jacinta was awarded the Kwong Lee Dow Scholarship from the University of Melbourne. Jacinta also achieved the Duke of Edinburgh silver award and spoke at the Nathalia ANZAC day ceremonies and the Moira Shire Australia Day Presentations.
As a young leader Jacinta tries to motivate and encourage other students to participate in the community. ‘I have a habit of taking every opportunity I can get and I really want others to do the same. I am lucky to have my family for support and to keep me well grounded.’
In the future, Jacinta would like to make her own feature film and pursue her studies in screen and theatre production possibly in New Zealand. ‘Thinking about the future definitely helps me stay focused.’
The VCE Achiever Award is coordinated by the VCAA to recognise the efforts of VCE students in promoting community involvement in their local school and wider community. VCE Achievers actively participate in such activities as the arts, environmental protection, aged care, hospitality, local council initiatives, fundraising and public speaking. Monthly finalists receive a three-month subscription to the Herald Sun, and in December one overall winner will receive a notepad computer donated by Lenovo Australia. Students in government, Catholic and independent schools may apply for the award in 2009 by using the application form on the VCAA website (Excellence and Awards > VCE Achiever Award).