Bundaberg Region Youth Scholarship winner Taliah Reynolds will use her award to undertake an online Bachelor of Communications degree with Griffith University from her home in Childers.
Taliah is one of the inaugural scholarship recipients under the Bundaberg Regional Council award scheme aimed at providing financial support for youth from the region who are passionate about their education.
The inaugural program received 31 nominations with seven recipients awarded based on merit by an Advisory Group made up of representatives from Youth Services Bundaberg, Link & Launch, CQUniversity and Bundaberg Regional Council.
The 18-year-old will graduate from Isis District State High School in November and is already enrolled to start her degree in the early pathway program with Griffith University, putting her four months ahead in her studies by the time the new university year starts in March.
Taliah said she will use the money she was awarded to upgrade her technology to meet the demands of online learning.
“Because I’ll be studying online, I need a new laptop since unfortunately they aren’t built to last and mine can’t keep up with the workload of uni,” she said.
“Also, some better-quality headphones so I can better focus during online lectures.
“I also hope to use some money to purchase textbooks I may need in the future.”
Taliah said studying her degree online means she can stay in the Bundaberg Region where she grew up and has made many happy memories.
“I like living in a smaller, quieter community that has lots of places to escape to like nature walks and beaches,” she said.
“I often go to Woodgate Beach to decompress during stressful times and Jett’s Bundaberg gym which has a lovely atmosphere and people as well.”
Taliah started living independently from her family earlier this year and said she was thankful for the opportunity the scholarship has given her.
“My School Guidance Officer gave me a poster of the scholarship a few days before it was due, so I last minute decided to enter … and I am so glad I did,” she said.
While she is looking forward to the future and university study, Taliah is keeping her options open for her future career.
“I hope to major in Creative Writing and Journalism,” she said.
“In the future I’d like to have some work experience in journalism and publishing to hopefully narrow the career path I’d like to take.
“I hope to give back one day.”
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