Our Rising Stars

Jay Hooker

Jay receives support for studies Determined Elanora-based student Jay Hooker is putting his scholarship to good use as he works to complete his studies at Southern Cross University's Tweed Gold Coast campus. Jay, who was awarded the Mick Young Scholarship, has just finished exams for the third year of a Bachelor of Business. He is only two years on from breaking his neck in a serious accident that occurred while tobogganing down a sand dune on a family holiday at North Stradbroke Island. The Mick Young Scholarship is part of Southern Cross University's Rising Stars Scholarships program. Jay said despite the 'spanner in the works' caused by his accident, he was more determined than ever to finish his degree. "I have trouble getting around without a wheelchair and although I can move my arms, my hands don't work, so everyday tasks like working on the computer are a bit of a challenge," said Jay. "For my exams I had to have a scribe take down my answers for me, but I had worked hard and I was pretty comfortable with how it went. "I'm realistic about what I can do - for example, getting a trade is out of the question, so I'll be relying heavily on my degree to get a job, and it's important for me to do well. "I'm really interested in economics and law, and my Dad works in the insurance industry so there might be some opportunities there as well." Jay has not let adversity hold him back, having received accreditation through Palm Beach Surf Club to judge surfing competitions. He said he was pleased to have won the scholarship. "I've used the scholarship to pay off a couple of extra summer units which I have enrolled in to get me through the degree faster," he said. "Also, I've been able to afford to get my textbooks straight away instead of saving up for them and I have to get a taxi to and from the University, so it has helped me pay for that too. "My number one goal at the moment is to finish my degree, and I haven't really had to worry too much about money at all this year, which has been great."

Our Rising Stars
	Sami Newnham Sami Takes to the Air Former Summerland Credit Union Scholarship recipient, Sami Newnham talks about her time at SCU and her work with Katherine School of the Air.
	Lynne Beames A positive contribution It has taken Lynne Beames six decades of life experience to find her calling, but she reckons that working closely with Indigenous communities is where her heart is.
	Moacir Palacios Scholarship makes dream a reality When 15-year-old Moacir Palacios fled Nicaragua five years ago to escape a home life of violence and poverty, he could never have imagined the path his life would take.
	Janine Kroemer Janine Kroemer is a Pitta Pitta girl of NW Qld raised on the southern coastlines of Australia. Janine says the journeys and time at Southern Cross Tweed Heads is an experience she will never forget.
	Jessica Waldron Jessica wants to help others For Jessica Waldron, the idea of doing something meaningful to help others was the motivating factor in choosing to study a Bachelor of Nursing at Southern Cross University.
	Carleen Corrie When you are rebuilding your life from scratch, a helping hand along the way can make a world of difference and that’s how it was for Southern Cross University Bachelor of Social Sciences student Carleen Corrie.
	Inanna Shea At the age of 40, former Sydney and Blue Mountains resident Inanna Shea has finally found what she says will be her long-term home after moving to Lismore to study environmental science.