Catholic student announced Young Person of the Year 2018
ST MARY MACKILLOP College student Jasmin Statham-Smith has taken out top honours with Senior Snowy Monaro Region Youth Awards Person of the Year 2018 for her leadership, generosity and selflessness in the wider community.
The 17-year-old Cooma local credits her motivation for community service to the formative work done at St Patrick’s Parish School in Cooma and now at St Mary Mackillop College Wanniassa where there is a strong focus on reaching out to others.
“My schooling has given me the foundation, platform and confidence to start and continue my efforts in helping others within various communities that I have served in already,” she said.
“It has enabled me to extend myself by learning new skills that I will continue to use throughout the rest of my life.”
Jasmin’s true dedication and passion for helping others was the driving force behind the establishment of the Cooma Interact Club (through Cooma Rotary), travelling to South Korea in 2016 for the International Rotary Convention, and her work with the Community Chest.
“I encourage other young people like me to continue to do community service, and to have a say,” she said.
“Ultimately it’s not about recognition, it’s about helping others, being selfless, becoming a leader and empowering others within our local, regional and city communities to serve without expecting anything in return.”
Out of 200 nominees Jasmin was also announced as a semi-finalist for the NSW/ACT Young Achievers Award.