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Scholarship for Tasmanian high achiever
One of Tasmania’s top-achieving high school students from 2010 has received a $12,000 Academic Excellence scholarship from the University of the Sunshine Coast.
Frances Weichelt, 17, this week started her USC Nursing Science degree after being presented with one of three prized Renouf Family Scholarships at a ceremony during the University’s Orientation Week.
Frances ranked in last year’s Tasmanian Top 100 TCE Students list and won the Outstanding Year 12 Award at the Tasmanian Academy (Hellyer College) at Burnie.
She said she had been researching university options since Year 9 to decide which would best suit her career and life goals.
“I recently stayed with my sister on the Sunshine Coast for a month and decided I definitely wanted to attend its university,” she said.
“She is also studying at USC so I attended some of her lectures and liked the way they were taught. And I’m looking forward to the weather!”
Frances initially considered medicine but decided that nursing would allow her to help people beyond their diagnoses.
Renouf Family Scholarships are awarded for high academic achievement, leadership skills and financial need.
“Receiving this scholarship means I can work less hours in a part-time job so I can focus on doing my best at uni,” Frances said. “I love the academic side of things.
“I’ll wait until my clinical placements to decide where I want to work after I graduate. I love travelling and nursing is so transferable.”
Frances was among 67 students who gained scholarships, ranging in value from $3,500 to $12,000, at USC’s annual Undergraduate Scholarships Presentation Ceremony last week.
– Julie Gatehouse