What are the Trailblazer Awards?
The Trailblazer Awards celebrates Year 11 and 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 build their personal brand and profile as a future leader, learn how to successfully apply for Early Entry, Scholarships, Co-Op, and Cadetships Opportunities, and so much more!
Find out how Sophie navigated their senior schooling differently throughout 2023!
Introducing: Sophie Albion
Category: Arts & Music
School: Nagle College Blacktown
State: NSW
Career Aspiration: Paediatric Psychiatrist & Professional Dancer
Achievements
- Organised and promoted the Dance For Sick Kids fundraising challenge, raising over $1,200 for Ronald McDonald House at Westmead Children’s Hospital.
- Developed effective communication skills through interacting with sponsors and donors for the Dance For Sick Kids campaign.
- Showed resilience and commitment by seeking help and improving academic performance after facing personal challenges.
- Engaged in various school and community activities, including school musicals, sports teams, volunteer work, and leadership roles.
What makes Sophie a Trailblazer?
Sophie is a remarkable individual who has demonstrated exceptional leadership and creativity in the field of arts and music. Her commitment to making a positive impact on the lives of others is evident through her initiative, the Dance For Sick Kids fundraising challenge.
As the sole organiser and promoter of this campaign, Sophie rallied her dance studio community to dance for two hours every day for a week, raising funds for seriously ill children and their families at Ronald McDonald House at Westmead Children’s Hospital. Through the effective use of social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok, Sophie shared the purpose of the campaign, requested support, and provided updates to the generous donors.
Sophie’s efforts were truly remarkable, surpassing the original fundraising goal and raising over $1,200. The funds raised contributed to supporting a whole family for a week at the Ronald McDonald House, alleviating financial burdens and creating a more welcoming environment for children in the hospital. Sophie’s ability to bring her dance studio community together and inspire hope in children and parents facing difficult circumstances exemplifies her compassion and dedication.
In addition to her fundraising project, Sophie’s involvement in various school and community activities showcases her diverse skill set and commitment to personal growth. From participating in school musicals and sports teams to engaging in volunteer work and leadership roles, Sophie has consistently shown her dedication to making a positive impact in her community.
Sophie’s journey hasn’t been without its challenges. She faced personal obstacles and academic difficulties while balancing an accelerated Mathematics course, a job, and co-curricular activities. However, Sophie’s resilience and determination led her to seek help and develop strategies to better handle the increased mental demands of her studies. She made the courageous decision to transfer to a non-accelerated advanced course, which allowed her to regain her confidence and thrive in her Mathematics class.
Looking ahead, Sophie has ambitious career aspirations. Her desire to become a paediatric psychiatrist stems from her deep affinity for working with children and her passion for improving their quality of life. Sophie also dreams of pursuing her love for dance professionally and aims to become a dancer on a cruise ship. Her dedication to diverse and challenging work, along with her goal of gaining unique experiences and understanding different cultures, exemplifies her adventurous spirit.
Sophie’s exceptional leadership, creativity, and dedication make her a true Trailblazer. Her ability to organise and promote impactful fundraising campaigns, coupled with her resilience in overcoming personal challenges, sets her apart as a role model for others. With her passion for arts, commitment to community engagement, and aspirations in the mental health sector and dance industry, Sophie is poised to make a lasting impact as she continues to blaze her trail to success.
The Top 50 Year 11 and 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 11 and 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 11 and 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.
