Scholarships give students confidence to dream

NORTHERN Bay College student Zainab Walizada says a scholarship gave her the confidence to dream bigger.

The year 9 student shared her story alongside fellow scholarship recipient Nyedholi Luak at the college’s Challenge Committee Fundraising Luncheon last week, highlighting the impact of the school’s scholarship program.

When Zainab joined Northern Bay College in prep, she often felt “different” from her classmates, particularly because she did not speak English.

Receiving a year 7–8 scholarship, she said, helped her find her place at school and recognise her own potential.

“When I realised that me – a multicultural student that didn’t even speak English – could get a scholarship, I was really stunned,” she said.

“It has made me think if I got one scholarship, maybe I can get more, maybe I can progress, and hopefully I can finish university.”

The scholarship also eased financial pressure on Zainab’s family, with her father the sole income earner in the family.

“When I got this scholarship, he was thrilled because he didn’t have to worry about my education for two years,” Zainab said.

For her mother, the scholarship represented something even more significant.

“Growing up, culturally, [my mother] was always told that women couldn’t do much and when she saw me getting a scholarship, she was really thrilled because she didn’t know that experience was for women,” Zainab said.

“Not only did it give us money, but it gave us hope.”

Like Zainab, fellow year 9 student Nyedholi said the scholarship had given her greater confidence and shown her what she was capable of.

“It really changes everything,” Nyedholi said.

Since its inception, the Challenge Committee has raised almost $400,000 to provide scholarships, educational opportunities and support for students in need. “It is a privilege to be involved with the students and to help them along the path,” committee chair Ken Harrison said.