What are the Trailblazer Awards?
The Trailblazer Awards celebrates Year 12 students beyond their ATAR, recognising those who have overcome personal challenges and used their final year of school to positively impact their community.
Our Trailblazers will have the opportunity to network with industry leaders, build their personal brand and profile as a future leader, learn key career skills in our 3-day Pathfinder Accelerator, and so much more!
Find out how Ben navigated Year 12 differently throughout 2021!
Introducing: Ben Mallin
Category: Business & Entrepreneurship
School: Penrith Anglican College
Career Aspiration: Civil Engineer/Business Management
Achievements
- Launched online store, VRTX Activewear
- School Captain
What makes Ben a Trailblazer?
Ben launched his own clothing brand and online store, VRTX Activewear, during 2020 as COVID lockdowns hit. Passionate about designing products to make customers feel great, and encouraging confidence, Ben constructed his business around the slogan, “be better than your best”.
Generating around $8000 in revenue within just two months of operation, Ben took on an entrepreneurial mindset. He reached out to influencers and local public figures in the sports arena to promote his products. Not only has Ben focused his energy into starting up his business, but also tutoring younger students.
Ben was incredibly proud of one of his year 9 students who improved their mark by 47% within a few lessons. He is passionate about helping students achieve their best and gain confidence in their school work. Ben also tutored a student who had Autism Spectrum Disorder, and worked hard to support this student not only academically, but also socially.
“Tutoring these students is a great joy since I am able to use my skills and knowledge to positively impact and make a change in the lives of these students.”
Working with customers in relation to his online store and private tutoring, Ben has learnt to work with a variety of different people. From corresponding with manufacturers to patiently speaking with customers and parents, Ben has become adaptive and responsive to different situations.
Despite the difficulties of being a year 12 student during the Pandemic, Ben managed to make the most of the extra time at home to apply himself to his studies. As School Captain, he represented his school in a number of ways, and was involved as a football coach and sports representative. Ben was also a volunteer in the Blackheath Rural Fire Service, and a Blue Mountains Youth Council Member.
Ben plans on studying Civil Engineering and hopes to design football stadiums and bridges. Alongside running his business, Ben can also see himself working in Business Management.
With interests in sports and engineering, Ben embodies innovation and entrepreneurship, and has placed in our Top 50 for the 2021 Trailblazer Awards!
The Top 50 Year 12 Trailblazer Awards
The Trailblazer Awards aim to identify and celebrate students who use their final years of school to invest holistically in the skills and experiences that will maximise their own future opportunities and make a contribution to the future of our society.
Our winners for the Year 12 Trailblazer Awards have demonstrated initiative in volunteering for their school or community, have participated in co-curricular activities, and have held leadership positions within their schools.
Learn more about who placed in the Top 50 Year 12 Trailblazers here!
About Art of Smart Education
At Art of Smart Education, we’re an award-winning provider of holistic tutoring and mentoring for students in years K-12. Our mission is to help students answer the difficult question, “What am I going to do with my life when I finish school, and how do I get there?”
Looking for local Penrith tutoring? You’ve come to the right place1
We understand that true success involves mastering study, career and leadership skills while maintaining your wellbeing, not just excelling in academics and as a result, over the last decade, we’ve supported over 10,000 students to achieve their best and maximise their options for life after school.
Each year over one million young Australians, parents, and teachers access our guides, videos and resources to navigate the journey through high school.
