A selection of Junee’s most talented youngsters have been recognised for their efforts throughout sport, academia and the community.
Eight young locals were recognised during The GEO Group’s Youth in Focus scholarships presentations late last month.
Two $2000 scholarships were handed out along with six $1000 recognition awards.
Junee High School student Jacky Zhao was awarded the Scholarship for Academic Excellence.
It comes after Jacky was awarded with a Victor Change school science award late last year while leading his year 11 cohort in Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, Mathematics Extension and Personal Development, Health and Physical Education (PDHPE).
15-year-old Hayley Stevens took out the Scholarship Award for Sporting Distinction after excelling in netball and swimming.
Hayley has been representing NSW in netball for the past five years and is a member of the Southern Sports Academy.
The talented teenager was a member of the Wagga Netball Club A Grade premiers netball team last year, one of just two 15-year-olds playing in the competition.
She is also a member of the Riverina and CSSA swimming squads and has represented Speedo Sprints of the Inland Swimming Association on four occasions.
GEO HR manager Kelly Eisenhauer said this year’s applicants were of a very high standard.
“Most of them have also had very high community involvement, they went over and above in that respect on top of their academic or sporting success,” she said.
“That really appeals to us because it's about giving back to the Junee community and the community benefiting from that.”
