Meridan State College’s 2016 dux, vice-captain and sporting champion Mahli Burgin of Currimundi has earned a Chancellor’s Scholarship, worth up to $20,000, from the University of the Sunshine Coast.

Mahli, 17, has enrolled in a Bachelor of Paramedic Science at USC this semester to pursue a career she believes will combine her love of biology and chemistry with work that is both hands-on and active.

“I’m a bit of an adrenaline junkie, but I’m really fascinated by human anatomy and physiology,” she said. “I’ve always wanted to help people, so studying Paramedic Science at USC seemed like the best way to bring in all of those interests.”

Mahli said she was grateful to have received a Chancellor’s Scholarship, which USC awards to only two students each year in recognition of outstanding academic success and community leadership.

“The scholarship will really help in paying for my paramedic uniform and other equipment I’ll need during the course, and take a lot of pressure off my parents,” she said.

At Meridan State College, Mahli won a host of academic prizes as well as Best and Fairest awards for netball, OzTag and basketball. The Moffatt Beach Netball Club player also gained selection in the Queensland Under 17 indoor netball side for two consecutive years.

Now three weeks into her degree, Mahli said she was enjoying working in the state-of-the-art science labs at USC’s Sippy Downs campus.

“I’m a bit of a science geek, so the anatomy and physiology subjects are great,” she said. “I’ve found the program very hands-on, which suits me really well.

“I’ve wanted to come to USC since I was very young – it’s close to home, it had the exact degree I wanted and I just love the campus.”

Mahli’s university experience began while she was at high school through her involvement in USC’s award-winning Headstart program. She did so well in one of her Headstart subjects that she received a ‘Rise, and Shine’ award last year.

Mahli also took advantage of USC’s Early Offer Guarantee, which enabled her to apply for entry into a degree before Year 12 results were released.

— Gen Kennedy