TWO previous Mount Gambier/Berrin students have received a Playford Trust scholarship to assist with their tertiary education.
Tess Kenseley and Reuben van Eyk had the awards handed to them by Deputy Leader of the Opposition John Gardner.
Both students previously studied at Tenison Woods College before moving on to tertiary education.
They received the Playford Trust Rural and Regional STEM Scholarship, which is for first-year undergraduates studying science, engineering, mathematics or technology.
Tess is studying a Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) Engineering Pathway under the University of Adelaide.
She was the female school captain at Tenison Woods College last year and received dux awards for Stage Two Chemistry and Integrated Learning.
She was also awarded the College’s All Rounder Award two years ago for her consistent academic excellence and dedication alongside the significant contribution to leadership, community and the college ethos.
Tess volunteered as a student mentor within the school’s Learning Assistance Program and spent one lesson a week with a Year 3 student.
She volunteered at ac.care every Friday morning prior to school where she collected leftover food from supermarkets to make breakfasts for ac.care clients.
Tess also found the time to play A Grade women’s hockey side and Limestone Coast State Country Championship side while coaching the Under-12 girls team.
Now, Tess is studying the Engineering Pathway at the University of Adelaide and has plans to switch to a double degree of Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)(Mechanical) with a Bachelor of Science.
She hopes to major in Aerospace Engineering and aspires to work at either the Andy Thomas Centre for Space Resources or Boeing Defence.
Alongside Tess, Reuben is currently studying a Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Electrical & Electronic) at the University of Adelaide.
Also a graduate of Tenison Woods College, Reuben honed his skills in soccer and maths.
In his final year at school he received an A+ in every assessment task for Specialist Maths and Mathematical Methods with an average test result of 97 per cent and 98 per cent respectively.
He earned a merit from the SACE board for his efforts in Mathematical Methods and won the University of South Australia’s John Petkov Excellence in Specialist Mathematics and Mathematical Methods Award.
Reuben received a Year 12 Subject Award for the highest grade in physics and is now enrolled in a Bachelor of Electrical and Electronic Engineering (Honours) at the University of Adelaide.
In the future, Reuben hopes to work on innovative and transformative technologies which will improve the quality of life and protect the environment.
His dream is to find solutions to future problems within society and transition into leadership roles.
