VCE Achievers

 

Kimberly Pellosis – Frankston High School

Kimberly is passionate about the environment. As a budding scientist she is acutely aware of the impact of climate change and its implication for future generations. ‘I think young people should take action on important issues like climate change because it will be a detriment to our future if we don’t do something about it.’ She is a strong leader and role model and inspires both students and staff to be aware and passionate about sustainability. Through her excellent communication and organisation skills she has demonstrated ideal and effective team-oriented qualities.

Community-based achievements

Kimberly was awarded a $400 Kwong Lee Dow grant to make possible an Environmental and Sustainability Conference that she is organising for secondary school students on the Mornington Peninsula. There will be 70 students attending from twelve local schools as well as representatives of the Frankston City Council.

‘I’m really proud of this project because it’s a student-led and student-run initiative which has come together in a short time. I think it will have a big impact on the local community.’

School-based achievements

As an active member of the Student Leadership Council, Kimberly has demonstrated initiative in planning and organising fundraising events and free-dress days to raise money for the Red Cross Bushfire Appeal, Kids Helpline, Beyond Blue and other worthy causes.

Kimberly coordinated the 40 hour famine and represented her school at the Global Leadership Convention and National Young Leaders Day. This was related to her membership of Frankston High School’s Vision Generation Group.

She also attended World Vision Youth Seminars to discuss current global issues and to raise awareness of child slavery and the importance of choosing Fair Trade. ‘Australians don’t understand how lucky they are to live in a country with such wealth and opportunities.’ Kimberly grew up in the Philippines and saw daily the impact of widespread poverty on people. ‘I have an opportunity to help to address some of the imbalances that exist between developed and developing nations’.

Kimberly is a member of the executive council of the Victorian Student Representative Council with a portfolio focusing on environmental issues.

As head of her school’s International Committee Kimberly has raised cultural awareness at her school and assisted international students to integrate into school life.

For her school’s Environmental Committee Kimberly has:

• organised fundraising events to raise money for Sea Shepherd and the Australian Wildlife Assistance Rescue
• organised workshops for primary schools on the topic of global warming and other environmental issues
• represented her school at the Melbourne Youth Water Conference.

Future plans

Kimberly has a lifelong passion for science and is an active participant in many state- and nation-wide science conferences and programs. So it is not surprisingly that after VCE Kimberly plans to complete a Bachelor of Science degree before embarking on a career in scientific research.

Mikaela Christie – Birchip P–12 School

Mikaela is committed to making a difference in her community and ensuring that young people are represented and catered for. ‘When I was younger other people took the time to coach and nurture me. Now it is my turn to give back to the community.’

She is recognised by her community as a stand-out leader and a high achiever. Mikaela is self-directed and organised which ensures that she can combine her VCE commitments with her volunteer work, leadership roles and part-time work.

Community-based achievements

As president of the local youth group for several years, Mikaela has initiated and organised many FReeZA functions and activities for the youth of Birchip. Mikaela is particularly proud of her contributions to the redevelopment of the Youth Room. This space provides a safe environment for young people to come together after school or before sports to socialise, play games or watch DVDs. In addition, in her leadership role of this group she has instigated many new initiatives and maintained good relationships with neighbouring towns.

Mikaela was a member of the Buloke Shire Youth advisory panel for two years and contributed to the 2009–2010 Buloke Shire Youth Strategy.

A keen sports participant, Mikaela volunteers for the Birchip Watchem Hockey Club and captains the Birchip underage hockey and netball teams.

Mikaela also coaches netball to a group of under-thirteens and students from Prep to Grade Four. ‘I love coaching – it is one of the most rewarding things I do. I get to see the kids enjoy themselves and develop their skills from year to year. In small towns like ours sports participation is really important because it helps establish friendships and identity within the community.’

Mikaela’s involvement in local sports activities led to her being awarded the Victorian Government Department of Sport and Recreation’s Young Sportsperson of the Year and the Buloke Shire’s Australia Day Young Citizen of the Year for 2010.

She has participated in Meals on Wheels and the Good Friday fundraising for the Royal Childrens Hospital Appeal.

School-based achievements

As a member of her school’s Student Representative Council for the past four years and recent vice-president, Mikaela now leads their Physical Resources sub-committee. She is also captain of her school this year.

Mikaela has twice received the Australian Defence Force Teamwork and Leadership Award for making a positive contribution to school and local community.

She won the Lions Youth of the Year award for her extensive community work which includes public speaking.

Future plans

Mikaela is still undecided about what she wants to do in the future. However, the current front-runner is a health sciences course in the field of physiotherapy or osteopathy.