Launceston College graduates Emily Britton, Sophie Burgess and Jack Barrett are looking forward to a future that is already bright.
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From rowing for Australia to studying to be a paramedic, the three students will take plenty of goodwill from their college as they take the next steps.
Sophie Burgess, who represented Australia in a science forum in London this year, was awarded the school’s Vicki Daymond Award, which recognises “outstanding merit or achievement, and whose personal efforts have benefited fellow students and the College”.
“I’m very glad that this year I have decided to step out and do absolutely everything I have time to, and it’s just an absolute honour to be recognised for doing my best to make a difference in the school this year,” she said.
Sophie will be pursuing her interest in STEM in Canberra, studying science and engineering at the Australian National University, hoping to become an academic or lecturer in the long-term.
She also wants to look closely at reforming the education system in Tasmania to encourage more effort in STEM subjects.
Emily Britton, when not fighting the St Helens fire on the East Coast last month, will be moving to Hobart to take up a Bachelor of Paramedics. She was awarded the Peggy Pedley Award, which highlights the “significant contribution” of a student to the college.
“I was in disbelief, I still am,” she said.
“I think it’s just a thank you for my contribution to the Student Representative Council this year as a secretary, and representing the school for the majority of events this year.”
And Jack Barrett, when not pursuing his dream of rowing for Australia, will be juggling a potential teaching degree with work. The college awarded Jack the ADF Long Tan Award for leadership and teamwork – both on the river and in the college.
“It’s still sort of sinking in, we don’t really have a leader so to say in our rowing crew or in classes,” he said.
“If something needs to be done, just do it and if you can’t do it, you need other people to help – that’s really all I do.”
Assistant Principal Elizabeth Williams said the college was “very proud” of the three graduates and their significant contributions to the school this year.
