Content
Genius student on the road to success
Like many 17 year olds, Chelsea Wallis of Marcus Beach is busily swotting up for her driver’s licence test.
But unlike most teens her age, Chelsea has already completed the bulk of a Bachelor of International Business at the University of the Sunshine Coast and is already in the driver’s seat for an illustrious career.
She started her Business degree at USC last year at the tender age of 15 and her track record of high distinctions to date is certainly turning heads.
Chelsea’s dedication recently impressed the Zonta Club of Noosa, which awarded her a $500 Jane M Klausman Women in Business scholarship.
She then went on to compete at a district level, beating applicants from 47 other Zonta clubs in Queensland and NSW to gain a US$1,000 Jane M Klausman regional scholarship.
Chelsea is now being considered for a Zonta International Award worth US$5,000.
“It’s such an honour to be awarded the scholarships and to be associated with such a prestigious organisation as Zonta,” she said. “It’s been a huge thrill for me and will hopefully help me a lot with my studies.”
Chelsea said she had found studying at USC to be a great experience.
“I really enjoy it and I suppose it’s more about how much effort you put in than how difficult the work is,” she said.
“The teaching quality and the environment at USC are really wonderful and of such a high standard.”
While Chelsea’s dedication to her study is paying off, it hasn’t encroached on her very busy schedule outside of university.
The gifted singer and musician is in the middle of a three-week run of the musical “Return to the Forbidden Planet”, in which she has a lead role.
She is also actively involved in French language studies, pilates, yoga and ballet … and of course, preparing for her driving test.
It’s likely to be the one test for this high achiever in which a “pass” will be just fine.
— Michelle Widdicombe