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 Bridie navigated Year 12 differently throughout 2021!
Introducing: Bridie O’Kelly
Category: Social Impact & Change
School: Richard Johnson Anglican School
Career Aspiration: Journalism
Achievements
- NSW Youth Works Award Nomination for Outstanding Youth Participation
- School Vice Captain
- Senior Sport House Captain
What makes Bridie a Trailblazer?
Bridie has immersed herself in numerous volunteer organisations and communities throughout what has been a challenging year with the pandemic. As part of the Blacktown City Council Youth Advisory Committee, she has hosted a variety of events, including work with the NSW Youth Council Conference.
Bridie received the NSW Youth Works Award Nomination for Outstanding Youth Participation, supported by the Advocate of Children and Young People. Being part of the organisation, Unleash the Future MMXIX, and her involvement in the NSW Youth Council Conference (2019), Bridie was actively involved in coordinating events. This experience opened Bridie’s eyes to the myriad of issues young people face. As part of the NSW Youth Council Conference, Bridie was motivated to amplify the voices and aspirations of young people.
Conscious of the power in a single person’s voice, Bridie partook in the Blacktown City Council Annual Youth Forum. As part of the Blacktown City Council Youth Advisory Committee, Bridie helped organise 2021 Youth Week for Blacktown, celebrating art and local contributions.
As part of Student Form, Bridie worked with primary and secondary students in conversations and through providing support. She also coordinated a collection for the Christmas Hampers for the Anglican Toys and Tucker Appeal, alongside fundraising initiatives for the National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence which increased awareness and information about bullying.
Passionate about leadership, Bridie was involved in the YMCA NSW Youth Parliament, an empowerment and advocacy program. She also attended the GRIP Student Leadership Conference, which gave her practical experience and leadership training. Bridie also organised the 2021 Colour Run for her school to help raise funds for Headspace.
Balancing her casual job at Bunnings, commitments to the Blacktown Youth Advisory Committee and being School Vice-Captain, Bridie had a lot on her plate. As an inherent leader with a passion for the world around her, Bridie loves learning about different people and engaging with diverse groups.
“Effective leaders are self-aware, they focus on developing others and are civic-minded… Witnessing a growth in confidence in pupils and an increase in Student Leadership has been so rewarding to be a part of.”
With a passion for public speaking, storytelling and promoting equality, Bridie hopes to pursue journalism through a degree in communications.
Encompassing student leadership through various lenses, Bridie is one of our top 50 Trailblazers!
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?”
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.
