Hectic year ahead for former Head Girl
Per Ardua Ad Alta Autumn 2008
2007 Head Girl Holly Ransom would be excused for winding down this year, considering the buzz of activity she was involved in during MLC's Centenary year, but her schedule has remained frantic.
Eighteen year old law student Holly is the youngest of the nation's best and brightest invited to sit on committees of the Australia 2020 Summit, to provide input in shaping a long term strategy for the nation's future. She attended the Summit held at Parliament House during April.
The Summit will aim to package the best ideas and apply them to the 10 key challenges that have been identified for Australia.
I'll be involved in the Future of Australian Governance committee discussing reforms to our Federal system to maximise future economic efficiency and benefit to the community. We'll also be examining parliamentary reforms, ways to increase public involvement in the political process, freedom of information laws and the rights and responsibilities of citizens.
I'm very excited to be invited to contribute my ideas alongside a collection of some amazing Australians who I've idolised for some time, including Kerry Stokes, Greg Craven and Geoff Gallop.
Last year was the best year of my life. I had a ball. It was incredibly hectic but I was fortunate enough to commence the year with the time management skills necessary to successfully juggle my studies with my Head Girl responsibilities, sporting commitments, co-curricular activities (such as mock trials) and my community service commitments.
However it was the improvement in my time management skills, once the year commenced, which allowed me to avoid sacrificing things that were important to me, such as socialising with my friends and achieving in my studies.
I was ecstatic to have exceeded the TER score I was aiming for, and to be awarded a Curriculum Council Certificate of Excellence, and Certificates of Distinction for Political and Legal Studies, and English.
I was very fortunate to be surrounded by an amazing group of people including students, staff and parents who really made 2007 an exceptional year, and a great learning experience for me. I learnt a lot through my interactions with them and I'd like to thank all of them for what they have taught me. I also learnt a lot about cooperation and compromise in dealing with the full hierarchy of the school, up to and including the Principal, Stephen Lee.
I feel very privileged to have had such a great mentor in Head of Senior School and Deputy Principal Yvonne Palmer. Mrs Palmer really encouraged and supported me in everything I did and gave me the freedom to fulfil my vision. There were also a number of other staff members who really challenged and extended my leadership skills and I am so thankful to each and every one of them for that.
MLC was integral in helping me to further develop my leadership skills. The school recognised my talent for leadership in Year 10, and nominated me for involvement in the Sir Charles Court Young Leaders program which motivated and inspired me to use my skills to benefit the community. Participation in the program strengthened my leadership potential and complemented my Political and Legal studies in developing my passion for politics and the law.
The program was a fantastic challenge both physically and mentally and also allowed me to meet the most phenomenal group of like-minded students who have been an invaluable source of support and friendship ever since. This year I'm thrilled to have been invited back to mentor students participating in the program.
In Year 11, I was involved in further State-wide leadership programs.
I thrive under pressure and enjoy an intense workload; a crazy schedule works for me. I've developed so much over the years and have come out of it all the better for my role as Head Girl. I have great memories of 2007 but more importantly I have the skills necessary to go out and tackle the new challenges that await me in 2008 and beyond.
This year I'll be studying Law Arts under a UWA scholarship with a long-term view to enter politics or the diplomatic corps.
I look forward to the opportunity to continue my work within the MLC community and I aim to mentor leadership students and coach various school sports teams. In addition, the College has developed a register of tutors in specific subject areas and I will be tutoring students in Economics and Political and Legal studies. I really congratulate the SOCE department on developing this system and I can't wait to be a part of it.
I also plan to continue my community service work for the Nedlands Youth Advisory Council where I oversee youth projects such as Ampfest, urban art projects and other activities designed specifically to engage youth in the area. I also hope to start volunteering with the Starlight Foundation, as well as becoming heavily involved in the student committees and clubs at UWA.
Holly Ransom (2007)
