One of the ACT’s brightest young female students has been awarded a Harding Miller Education Scholarship worth $20,000. Aimee McArthur from Caroline Chisolm School was the ACT’s sole scholarship recipient.

More than 700 Year 9 girls applied for the scholarships this year, which are for girls who are passionate about their studies, but who may lack the resources to achieve their academic potential and dreams.

Through the scholarships – worth $20,000 each – girls are supported in a variety of ways including with equipment, computers, internet connections, textbooks, tutoring and coaching, which they may otherwise not have access to.

“Our scholarship recipients have high academic potential. They are talented and dedicated, but they simply do not currently have access to the resources that they need to make the most of their education opportunities,” Harding Miller Foundation Executive Director, Cara Varian, said.

“We focus on girls because educating girls works to break the vicious cycle of poverty. Girls are more likely to complete high school and go on to pursue further education when they are supported with equipment, money for resources, tutoring and coaching.

“It’s a fact that a woman’s income will increase by up to 25 per cent for each additional year of education, so we want to support these high-potential young women to stay in school and to have the option going to university.”

In 2021, 90 per cent of Harding Miler scholarship recipients graduated with a plan to go on to university, compared to the national average of 60 per cent.

Aimee said the scholarship would help her overcome obstacles to her future education.

“I set high standards for myself and use all feedback to complete my work to a better level next time. Pride motivates me to do as well as I can, for personal gain and gain for my future,” she said.

“The pride I feel when I do well in school makes me want to keep going. This scholarship would benefit me by helping me take my education to a level beyond what I can now to achieve future goals.”

Ms Varian said the Harding Miller Education Foundation focused on supporting the girls’ basic needs to complete their high school education.

“We get satellites installed in homes to make sure that the kids can get access to the internet. We supply noise-cancelling headphones if they don’t have a dedicated study space. We send out supermarket gift cards if families are having trouble with the groceries,” she said.

“These are tangible, practical things which we can do to give young women a hand to complete their schooling and fulfil their potential.”