An 18-year-old from Kapunda High School has been named as Adelaide-born golfer Adam Scott’s 2020 Adam Scott Foundation Youth Opportunities Scholarship winner, and will receive a full tertiary scholarship to pursue her dream of studying medicine.
With South Australia facing a GP shortage in up to 50 rural areas, Chloe, who grew up in the mid-north of SA, says that winning the $75,000 scholarship will allow her to study to be a doctor so she can give back to her local community and care for others in SA country areas.
The full tertiary scholarship was open to SA high school graduates who have undertaken the Youth Opportunities Personal Leadership Program, were experiencing financial or other hardship, and demonstrated a strong commitment to their education.
“I want to ensure that no matter where someone lives in Australia, the medical care they are provided is the best possible,” Chloe said. “I am inspired by the work of the Royal Flying Doctor Service who support people in communities, and I feel with my drive and passion I can be part of the solution to help make these services even better.”
Not only does Chloe want to give back to her community by being a doctor, but she also hopes to serve as a role model for other young people both in regional and metropolitan SA.
“Before completing the Youth Opportunities Personal Leadership Program I was really shy, I never put my hand up for anything and would never have seen myself as a leader. However by Year 12, I ended up being School Captain, head girl prefect and house leader, something I would never have thought possible for myself. I hope by winning this scholarship I can show that through determination and a positive mindset to overcome any challenges you face in life, you can achieve whatever you set your mind to,” said Chloe.
This is the second year that prominent golfer Adam Scott, who originally hails from South Australia, has offered a scholarship of this kind in the state.
After an intensive review process by the Adam Scott Foundation Youth Opportunities Scholarship committee, Chloe was chosen to receive the scholarship from a field of 26 eligible candidates from right across SA.
Erin Faehrmann, Chief Executive of Youth Opportunities, says Chloe stood out because of her passion for the health and wellbeing of rural communities, and by demonstrating great resilience in the pursuit of her goals.
“We have complete confidence that Chloe will be successful in achieving her dream of being a doctor and serving regional communities,” said Erin.
“She inspired all of us during her interview with her drive, focus and selfless attitude, and is a deserving recipient. We cannot wait to see her progress through her university studies. For many students who experience financial disadvantage, the barriers to pursuing a University education are almost near impossible. The support of the Adam Scott Foundation in giving a young person in SA this extraordinary opportunity to have their full University degree paid for is just incredible. This scholarship will allow Chloe to complete her degree and focus on becoming a doctor, without having the extra pressure of thinking about how financially she is going to support herself, or worrying about the immense debt she would carry with her on the completion of her degree,” said Erin.
Adam Scott Foundation General Manager, Geoff Hall said, “Our Foundation strives to assist and support young people through education. When we interviewed Chloe it was evident that she is a humble leader who has overcome her challenges through hard work, determination and creating support networks. She really impressed us with her work ethic and her many commitments to the community, which is exactly the type of person we look to invest in through our scholarships.”