She may be just 17, but North Sunshine’s Kathy Tran has already been rewarded for her work in the community.
The Marian College student was recently named ‘youth of the year’ in a competition run by Sunshine Lions Club. Tran promoted Vietnamese cultural events, raised funds for her school and displayed leadership skills.
Competing against fellow students from Marian and Braybrook colleges, Tran – a year 11 student who was recently elected Marian school captain for 2014 – also shone during a public speaking segment at Glengala Primary School.
She fielded questions from judges before delivering a speech on social conformity in front of about 20 Lions members, parents and teachers.
“I was a bit nervous. I was the last one to answer questions then the first to give my speech,’’ she says.
“I was asked if social media was an advantage or a disadvantage. I said, it’s both. It brings people together from other countries, yet it can also be used to attack others. People can hide behind their screen.
‘‘I also said people need to feel free to express themselves and achieve their dreams.”
Tran plans to study medicine or business. But before then she’ll contest a regional final against students from other western suburbs schools early next year.
