On Friday night, Souths Cares hosted a Graduation event at the Rabbitohs Round 27 NRL match for Year 12 students in the Nanga Mai Marri (Dream Big) and Liverpool Opportunity Hub Programs.
The event provided a great opportunity for students, parents, teachers and Souths Cares mentors to come together and celebrate the achievements of the 2024 Year 12 cohort that includes 41 students from 15 high schools.
The intimate event was hosted in the Corporate Suites at Accor stadium, with Souths Cares staff Alisha Parker-Elrez, Rhys Wesser, Brittney Simpson and Allistar Flanders speaking at the graduation ceremony to congratulate students and share some of their achievements whilst being part of the Nanga Mai Marri and Liverpool Opportunity Hub programs.
Rhys Wesser, Careers and Education Pathways Advisor for the Liverpool Opportunity Hub explained the students had worked hard over many years to achieve this important milestone.
Rhys Wesser, Careers and Education Pathways AdvisorMost of our Year 12 students joined the Opportunity Hub when they were in Year 9 and during their time in the program have worked diligently to achieve their education goals. I couldn’t be prouder of our 2024 HSC students who are all on great pathways to success.
A highlight of the event was Nanga Mai Marri participant, Zion Stewart getting out of his comfort zone to address the audience and share his experiences being part of the mentoring program. Zion paid tribute to his mentors who have supported him through the highs and lows of his high school education and helped him develop into a future leader.
Brittney Simpson, Nanga Mai Marri Mentor stated many students experienced challenges throughout their schooling which made their achievements all the more significant.
Brittney Simpson, Nanga Mai Marri Program MentorThe group has showed great resilience in overcoming challenges throughout their schooling and have remained strongly committed to their education and our program. It has been a pleasure to be part of their journey’s and we can’t wait to see our students continue to excel after school.
In recognition for their achievements, each Year 12 student was given a graduation gift pack from Souths Cares that included items generously donated by Classic, McDonald's, Menulog, MG, and Wotif.
The Year 12 students will continue to be supported by Souths Cares mentors as they commence their HSC exams next month and then transition into employment, training and/or tertiary education next year.
Congratulations to all of Souths Cares 2024 HSC students:
| Name | School |
|---|---|
| Alaynah Quinlan Naylor | Alexandria Park Community School |
| Aliyah Miles | Alexandria Park Community School |
| Ava Abela | South Sydney High School |
| Bronte Hookey | Goal College |
| David Castrianni | Alexandria Park Community School |
| Dayne Fallon | Goal College |
| Donald Knight | Ashcroft High School |
| Glenn Young | Hoxton Park High School |
| Harley Foster | Casula High School |
| Hayden Walker | Casula High School |
| Hunter Morgan | Matraville Sports High School |
| Jacinta Boyd | OLSH College |
| Jack Lawrence | Goal College |
| Jay Lester | Matraville Sports High School |
| Jenaya Kelly | Brigidine College |
| Jonathan Silva | Alexandria Park Community School |
| Kacey Blakeney | Marrickville High School |
| Kalua Shaw-Davis | Casula High School |
| Kane Smith | Alexandria Park Community School |
| Keanan Brown | JJ Cahill Memorial High School |
| Kirrawahn Duckett | Goal College |
| Kirsty Maher | John Edmondson High School |
| Kobe Knight | Goal College |
| Kwananna Moreton-Stewart | Casula High School |
| Kye Pitt | Good Samaritan Catholic College |
| Kye Walker | Matraville Sports High School |
| Kyeema O'Mealey | Alexandria Park Community School |
| Kyleigha Crawford | South Sydney High School |
| Lakishia Stanford | Casula High School |
| Lily Hijazi | Liverpool Girls High School |
| Lochlin Moses | Endeavour Sports High School |
| Mason Gem Burnett-Glover | Good Samaritan Catholic College |
| Melisha Winters | Alexandria Park Community School |
| Mequynne Logan | Alexandria Park Community School |
| Micah Matoe | Matraville Sports High School |
| Piper Jackson | Brigidine College |
| Shaelyn Allison | Hoxton Park High School |
| Tshinta Foley | Alexandria Park Community School |
| Tyrell Ramonde-Salmon | Matraville Sports High School |
| Tyson Ralph | Goal College |
| Zion Stewart | Goal College |
