Big boost for Sarah’s dreams

A star student who plans on taking her studies to the next level has won a prestigious award and received a significant contribution towards achieving her ambitions.

St Luke’s College student Sarah Lane, 17, was announced as the recipient of the City of Karratha’s Walkington award recently.

The prize, named after Dr Al Walkington, who was the foundation director of the North Regional TAFE, gives the winner $5000 towards further study.

The Year 12 student, pictured, said she was shocked to win the prize, which she plans to put towards her Curtin University degree.

“I stood on the stage shaking, I did not expect to win it at all,” she said.

“I’ve just been trying to take every opportunity that comes my way and I put in for it ... but it feels good that everything I’ve been doing has not gone unrecognised.”

Ms Lane said she was planning to study immunology and microbiology and hopefully to go into the area of diseases.

“I’ve never really been too interested, and then this year human bio became my favourite ATAR, and with coronavirus, it just seemed very me,” she said.

“I’m a little bit nervous because we don’t have any family in Australia and obviously my immediate family will stay in Karratha.”

Karratha Mayor Peter Long said the award recognised the hard work the student had put into her studies and community involvement over the last year.

“Sarah has demonstrated she is a very worthy recipient of the 36th annual Walkington award through the work she has been doing as part of St Luke’s leadership team as the cultural captain alongside her mentoring of students, organising of school activities and her commitments to numerous volunteer organisations,” he said.

Mr Long said the award aimed to encourage students to pursue full-time or part-time studies at a recognised institution.