A USC scholarship valued up to $20,000 has topped a list of outstanding achievements for Isis District State High School 2016 captain and Childers Youth Citizen of the Year Aleisha Nugent.

The OP2 student, who has begun a Bachelor of Paramedic Science at USC, was awarded the Tim Fairfax Regional Scholarship, established to support high achieving students who need to move from regional areas to attend university.

Aleisha, who is completing the three-year degree at USC’s main campus on the Sunshine Coast, initially planned to study medicine before deciding in the final months of Year 12 that she wanted a career as a paramedic.

“Being a paramedic will be more exciting on a day-to-day basis, and I will be able to help people at their most vulnerable,” said the 18-year-old.

“I definitely believe it is the right decision for me as it is a very diverse and rewarding field.”

USC’s location, smaller class sizes and emphasis on face-to-face teaching led to her choosing the University. “I decided that with USC’s smaller campus and cohort I would benefit from more one-on-one time with tutors, lecturers and my classmates.”

She said the scholarship would open doors and provide access to many opportunities and resources over the course of her studies, and thanked donor Tim Fairfax for his generosity.

“This scholarship will help with transport, uniform, placement and textbooks costs and means I won't have to work so many hours in a part-time job, giving me more time to study.”

The scholarship is the latest in a long list of awards and accomplishments for the former school captain and sports house captain. As well as gaining an OP2, she received the Year 12 Biology subject prize, and academic, services and cultural awards.

Her involvement in community and school events and fundraising activities for causes such as cancer research and mental health was recognised with the Childers Youth Citizen of the Year award, and the school’s Mayor’s Medallist award.

— Clare McKay