A JIMBOOMBA apprentice hairdresser whose study turned her life around is in line for a state award.
Bree Connell, 17, is the school-based apprentice or trainee of the year for south-east Queensland.
The Murphy's Barber Shop trainee could soon be announced as Queensland's champion.
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She has come a long way since signing on at the barber two years ago. Bree was not interested in school at Flagstone State Community College. She said she preferred sitting with her friends at the park.
"I just didn't like school, and wasn't engaged," she said.
"I was destined to go down a bad road in my state."
Mother Jan took Bree around Jimboomba's salons, asking if anyone was looking for a work experience student.
Murphy's, owned by Toni Allen, said "yes".
The experience period got extended, before Bree picked up an apprenticeship at the barber.
She is now studying a certificate II as a salon assistant.
Bree and the family, brothers Jake and Joey and sisters Brooke and Belinda, were rocked by the sudden death of their mother last year.
Mrs Connell died of a heart attack.
"It took a toll on everyone," Bree said. "All of us were supporting each other, and that's why I think we're so strong."
Mrs Connell was an integral part of Bree's academic turnaround, and she wanted to repay her mother by doing her best at work.
"Even though she can't see it, I feel like she's still a part of everything," Bree said.
Bree's father Peter said he was immensely proud of his daughter.
"I'm stoked. I'm just over the moon for her," he said.
"To lose her mother like that in the last 12 months, it's had a huge impact on the family."
Bree's drive was re-ignited when the shop took her on, and her work ethic improved drastically.
Murphy's Barber owner Toni Allen paid tribute to Bree.
"I am pretty amazed, and very proud," she said.
"She has done it all herself, and come such a long way. She's a good kid now."
The pair was taken by surprise when a photographer visited the shop to take a picture of Bree.
"We didn't have a model [for a customer]," Ms Allen said.
"We had to go out and get a man from the street and say excuse me, can you be in a photo."
The finalists will gather for the state awards on September 4 at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre.
The event will mark 60 years of the awards.
Bree encouraged any student eligible to think about an apprenticeship.
"You're going through school and getting work experience at the same time," she said. "You know that when you go out into the workforce [after school], you will be ready for that world.
"It definitely changed my life, and changed it for the better."
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