Flagstone State Community College student Noah Hinds has been chosen as one of 25 recipients of the Australian National University Tuckwell Scholarship.
Under the scholarship, founded by philanthropists Graham and Louise Tuckwell, Noah will receive approximately $21,000 per year towards his studies for up to five years as well as mentoring from senior ANU leader and researchers.
Noah said he underwent several rounds of applications before the interviewees were selected.
“I flew down to Canberra for the three day interview process just before school came back this term,” he said.
“But the teachers and I had put in a lot of work prior to my selection.”
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During his time in Canberra, Noah had the chance to mingle with the 73 other interviewees before taking to the interview rounds.
“We had group interviews, then we had five single interviews with the panelists,” he said.
“They asked some very out there questions that meant you had to think on your feet.”
Noah said he had been nervous but after the interviews he was happy he had tried his best.
After about a week, Noah received a call from ANU.
“I got the call just after 3pm and they said I had been offered the scholarship,” he said.
“I very speechlessly accepted the position.
“I am just so happy and honoured to gain this amazing opportunity.”
Noah said the scholarship would allow him to get set up at university and to pursue something that may not have been possible without the funding support.
“I found out about the scholarship through my time in January at ANU with the National Youth Science Forum,” he said.
“Although my original plan had been to stay in Queensland for university, I fell for the ANU campus.”
Noah said he hoped to study a Bachelor of Science (Advanced) before moving into a masters degree with research in astronomy and astrophysics.
Year coordinator Steve Miles said the scholarship was a first for Flagstone.
“This opens up so many doors for Noah and we are all so ecstatic for him,” he said.
“I think this is a good reflection on our teaching staff and the ENABLE program at work.
“Noah will take this and use it in an amazing way.”
Scholarship co-founder Graham Tuckwell said he was pleased with the high quality of applications for the 2018 program as well as the diversity among recipients.
"What is particularly pleasing is that we are seeing more really strong applicants from regional and remote parts of Australia," he said.
"The scholarship isn't just about rewarding academic excellence, it's about finding those future leaders who are already making valuable contributions to their community even at such a young age."
Noah will undertake the Queensland Core Skills Test in late August.
