Two Rockhampton students have won prestigious $20,000 academic scholarships through the Harding Miller Education Foundation.
Glenmore State High School student Abigail Poyser and Rockhampton State High School student Leah Broome were among more than 60 promising female students in Queensland public schools to receive the scholarship for young women who may lack opportunities to achieve their academic potential and dreams.
Through the scholarships, students are supported in a variety of ways including more access to equipment, computers, internet connections, textbooks, tutoring and coaching, giving them the opportunity to learn on a level playing field with their more financially advantaged peers.
Abigail said the scholarship would help her overcome potential obstacles to her future academic pursuits.
“To me, the Harding Miller scholarship means that I get to be supported in the best way possible to achieve my goals, it means that I can thrive at school and work to my best potential,” she said.
Leah said the scholarship would help her overcome potential obstacles to her future academic pursuits.
“I have been fortunate to be supported in my first years at high school through an Indigenous scholarship associated with my Grandmother’s Traditional Owner Group,” she said.
“It is due to this support that I have been able to access school work at home more easily and was even able to complete an oral assessment over Microsoft Teams when I was isolating due to Covid.”
Leah said the financial support had also allowed her to purchase materials to complete practical assessments such as dioramas
“I am able to have all the correct uniform items and feel on the same level as other students.”
Executive director Cara Varian said the Harding Miller Education Foundation focused on supporting the girls’ basic needs to complete their high school education.
“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,” she said.
“We want to support these high-potential young women to stay in school and to have the option of going to university.”