Rural graduates shine in city
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Three graduates of rural Catholic schools are reaping the rewards of a scholarship program at Aquinas College in North Adelaide as they embark on university studies in medicine, psychology and engineering.
Jacinta Hodge, Jess Tresidder and Max Sturman achieved outstanding academic results in Year 12 and are recipients of the Partnership School Scholarship which is aimed at strengthening connections between the Catholic tertiary residential college and regional schools.
Valued at $5000 each, the scholarships are awarded to students with the highest ATAR scores who have enrolled at Aquinas and are attending a university in Adelaide.
Jess, who is studying neuro-psychology and business at UniSA, said coming from a single parent family the scholarship would ease the financial pressure and enable her to focus on her studies.
The Tenison Woods College old scholar was a recipient of the 2023 Governor’s Commendation Award and has been recognised for her business and entrepreneurial talent. At the age of 16 she launched popular custom keychain business WildHazelDesigns which became an Etsy bestseller.
She has volunteered for a number of community organisations including ac.care, a foster care service for people living in rural areas.
Jacinta made the move this year from Port Augusta where she was a student leader in Year 12 at Caritas College. She is studying medicine at the University of Adelaide and said she was enjoying the social aspect of Aquinas College.
Max attended St Joseph’s School in Port Lincoln and is studying a double degree in chemical engineering and science. He participated in the world sailing championships in Melbourne recently and is sailing four to five days a week at Brighton/Seacliff Yacht Club as he aims for his “ultimate goal” of competing in the Olympic Games.
With such a busy schedule, he said it was good to have a tutor assigned to him as part of Aquinas’ Academic Program and that he appreciated the great study support. He said there were always people around to ask questions, as well as opportunities to socialise.
Aquinas College, Adelaide’s only Catholic tertiary residential college, was established in 1950. It provides accommodation, including all meals, as well as extensive academic and pastoral support for 180 young women and men from Australia and overseas.
The scholarships are on offer annually to the college’s five partner Catholic regional schools: Caritas College, Samaritan College, Tenison Woods College, St Mark’s College and St Joseph’s School Port Lincoln.
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