Myrtleford student Isabelle Cooke named Victoria's VCE 'Leader of the Year'

MARIAN College Year 12 student, Isabelle Cooke, has been named the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority's (VCAA) VCE 'Leader of the Year' during this year's VCE Leadership Awards. The presentation ceremony was held at the Treasury Theatre in Melbourne at on Friday, September 13, with all eight of the Victorian student awardees present with their families and special guests. Prior to the announcement, a three month application and interview process was conducted to get to know the students and their achievements, underpinning exemplary leadership and innovative community work. During the evening all eight finalists students were put through a Q&A session in front of the audience. Isabelle was asked questions about her previous efforts taken to coordinate the Careers Expo at Marian College last year. "I'm very grateful for this award, but incredibly surprised, to be honest," she said. "I went to the presentation evening and met the other leaders for Victoria and they were incredible. "They all have an extensive history participating in leadership activities and programs, so I was very surprised." As for Isabelle's future plans to become an architect, she said they remain unchanged. "I still plan to go to university," she said. "I will study and engage with more community and leadership activities there. "As a part of my award, Lenovo has gifted me a laptop to help me pursue my further education. "I consider myself lucky to be awarded the 'Leader of the Year Award' and this will allow me to achieve more leadership opportunities in the future." Victoria's Minister for Education, Ben Carroll, congratulated all of the award recipients, acknowledging the meaningful impact they have had in their schools and communities while studying for their VCE and announced Isabelle as this year's award winner. “These young leaders’ achievements show that Victorian students are part of a global community and that our world-class education system is enabling them to grow, inspire and give back to their school and wider community," Mr Carroll said. “The VCE Leadership Awards embody everything the 'Education State' stands for: achieving excellence and giving every student the best opportunity to succeed, regardless of background or circumstance.” The presentation evening was hosted by VCAA CEO, Kylie White. “These awards highlight the fact that the VCE enables students to reach their full potential and make a meaningful difference in their communities, regardless of the pathway they take," Ms White said. Now in its 27th year, the awards have extended to also recognise students pursuing a vocational pathway following the expansion of VCE to include the VCE Vocational Major. This year’s finalists included active leaders who champion student voices, promote inclusion and diversity and make a difference in their communities and beyond. OUTSTANDING YOUNG LEADER Isabelle Cooke was one of 20 students chosen in Victoria as a Rural Youth Ambassador last year, through a program run by the Country Education Project (CEP). She went to the Education Department to talk to ministers about changes wanted in rural education, in rural mental health and rural career opportunities. Isabelle, along with fellow rural youth ambassador, Genavieve Cusack, created a careers expo for students from Marian and Myrtleford P-12 colleges. She has also been to Canberra to work with the Department of Home Affairs on advocating for rural civic engagement. Isabelle is currently deputy school captain for community development and has been the volunteer PE dance teacher in the community.

Myrtleford student Isabelle Cooke named Victoria's VCE 'Leader of the Year'

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