Year 9 Caboolture State High School student, Kharma Mooney, has been awarded a prestigious scholarship from the Harding Miller Education Foundation.
The four-year academic scholarship includes a new laptop, high-speed internet, online tutoring, homework assistance, prepaid expenses for school supplies and mentorship from a personal coach.
Kharma said she felt happy and proud when her mum received the call from the foundation.
“She ran inside and started jumping up and down pointing to the phone,” Kharma said. “She handed me the phone and I heard ‘Harding Miller scholarship’ and that’s when I knew I had been awarded such a spectacular gift.”
Harding Miller Education Foundation
The Harding Miller Education Foundation helps high-achieving young Australian women experiencing hardship reach their potential and build pathways to tertiary education and fulfilling careers.
“This scholarship will support my schooling and my future by teaching me how to cope under any school stress – which will prepare me for senior years – allow me to advance further in English, math and science through the tutoring money provided and will also help me when I am starting to select subjects for my most important years ahead,” Kharma said. “Not only will I be provided with those resources, this scholarship will also allow me to create a wide range of connections with plenty of helpful people, preparing me for the ‘real world’.”
Kharma has been working with her coach, who will help with year 10 subject selections, answering questions and accessing additional resources.
“Most importantly, my personal coach is a friend and an ally who will help me with anything they possibly can,” she said.
Principal Doug Watson, said Kharma was an amazing example of the school’s value of ‘pride’, which stands for persistence, respect, integrity, diligence and excellence.
“Kharma has excelled; academically, musically and now she stands tall as an amazing role model for all students, that through hard work and commitment, can achieve anything,” he said. “As a school and community, we are so proud of Kharma.”
Looking ahead, Kharma has aspirations of attending university and pursuing a career in law, possibly as a human rights lawyer.
“I know I have a strong passion for doing what’s right and giving everyone equal treatment so if being a lawyer doesn’t work out, I know I won’t land a job far from my passion of law and justice,” she said.
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