Southern Cross University’s Rising Star scholarship program is based on community support that can set a student on the path to realising their potential.
The program gives local businesses and organisations such as Twin Towns the opportunity to recognise, support and contribute to student achievement.
Twin Towns Clubs & Resorts and Twin Towns Community Foundation have been lending a helping hand of financial support to young Southern Cross University students since 2010.
Currently, Bachelor of Social Welfare student Brayden Maynard and Bachelor of Occupational Therapy student Jacinta Greenup both receive a Twin Towns Clubs & Resorts Scholarship, while Bachelor of Digital Business student Matteo Caridi and Business/Laws student Sarah Ashley receive a scholarship thanks to a Twin Towns Services Community Foundation.
Twin Towns Deputy Chairman Brian Brown said the Club is proud to support the Rising Stars Program on behalf of members.
“We have been so impressed with the young people that we have been able to meet and support, and we know that in some way they will go in to the community and make a difference through the work they do in their future careers,” he said.
The students’ stories are inspirational, like that of 20-yearold Jacinta Greenup who was hooked on surfing from the moment she rode her first waves as a kid at Cabarita Beach.
In 2015, she competed in the World Qualifying Series while still managing her Year 12 studies.
At that point Jacinta decided to complete the Bachelor of Occupational Therapy at Southern Cross University before heading back to the world of surfing fulltime.
Jacinta has competed in the same competition league as big name surfers Steph Gilmore, Tyler Wright and Coco Ho.
“I am so grateful for how much Twin Towns has helped me out,” said Jacinta.
“It’s been easy to focus on Uni without the pressure of also having a part-time job while training and competing and I’ve
been able to consistently achieve good grades.”