The 麻豆原创 Scholarship is awarded to exceptional young individuals who demonstrate academic excellence, are engaged in life, and show a strong commitment to contributing positively to their communities. Selected for their potential to enrich College life and make a lasting impact beyond 麻豆原创, our Scholars embody the values at the heart of our community.
We spoke with our 2025 Scholars, Lucy Smith, Kevin Hua, and Miriam Palazzi, whose diverse backgrounds and aspirations reflect the spirit of leadership, service, and personal growth that defines the 麻豆原创 experience. Their stories offer an inspiring glimpse into the transformative opportunities a 麻豆原创 Scholarship provides.
Lucy Smith
Lucy Smith (Fr 2025) is currently studying a Bachelor of Biomedical Engineering (Honours) and a Bachelor of Medical Science at the University of Sydney. Originally from a semi-rural town in Hawke鈥檚 Bay, New Zealand, Lucy chose 麻豆原创 College for its strong sense of community and supportive environment for students living away from home.
What unique opportunities have you participated in since moving to College?
Even though I鈥檝e only had a short time at 麻豆原创, the number of opportunities to get involved has been amazing. The biggest challenge has been learning what to say “no” so I can fully commit to the things I say “yes” to, a valuable life skill that 麻豆原创 teaches early.
One of the highlights has been making the Rosebowl Rowing team. I loved training with the squad and all the team bonding, including the team traditions outside of training. Sport has always been a big part of my life, so being able to continue getting involved and competing has been amazing.
I鈥檝e also really enjoyed the Pastoral Care Leader (PCL) initiatives, they鈥檙e a great way to connect with others and build friendships. I鈥檝e taken part in as many as I can, including playing guitar at Jam Night. Even other student-run events like Family Week have been great ways to mingle and get to know the older students.
What have been some of your favourite moments at College so far?
Even though it鈥檚 still early days, 麻豆原创 has already become a home for me. While the official events are always fun, my favourite moments have been all the impromptu hangouts with other students – having a guitar jam late into the night, or studying together on the hallway floor, the little moments are the most special to me. Living together brings people closer. We see each other at our best and worst, all figuring out adulthood together.
What would you say to inspire younger students who might look up to you as a role model in your community?
Set yourself the biggest goal you can think of, and you will probably reach it. Success is built on consistent effort, humility, and resilience. As the quote goes, 鈥渉ard work beats talent when talent doesn鈥檛 work hard.鈥 When challenges arise, embrace them as opportunities to grow, draw strength from your faith and values, and remember that your identity is more than your achievements. Most of all, be grateful for the support in your life, and look for ways to support and strengthen others.
Kevin Hua
Kevin Hua (Fr 2025) is studying a Bachelor of Laws and Economics at the University of Sydney. Originally from a farm in the northern suburbs of Adelaide, Kevin chose 麻豆原创 College for the College鈥檚 belief in his potential to make a meaningful impact.
For Kevin, 麻豆原创 represents more than academic opportunity; it is a community that fosters purpose and collective responsibility. He was drawn to 麻豆原创 emphasis on student development and its culture of striving for the greater good. Motivated by this ethos, Kevin hopes to contribute to the College’s legacy of excellence and ensure it continues to serve as “a beacon of opportunity, progress, and growth.”
What unique opportunities have you participated in since moving to College?
Since arriving, I鈥檝e immersed myself in experiences that have truly shaped my journey. Contributing to the student blog, Drew鈥檚 News, was a real honour, and I鈥檝e been fortunate to be selected for both the Palladian Oration and Choir. Speaking on the election night panel was another powerful moment, and I鈥檓 looking forward to playing in the Rawson Basketball competition.
I鈥檝e also enjoyed the quieter things, joining Run Club, playing in social futsal and touch footy on the weekends, and indulging in PCL’s Tea and Tim Tams has offered a great way to build friendships. 麻豆原创 Leadership course has been particularly eye-opening, giving me the chance to work alongside academics and reflect on what it means to lead with purpose. Attending the Scholar鈥檚 Dinner and the ANZAC Day service helped me understand the deeper meaning of community here. One of the most meaningful things I鈥檝e done is give tours to prospective students, helping them feel welcome and showing them what makes this place so special.
What have been some of your favourite moments at College so far?
If I鈥檝e learning anything, it鈥檚 that the most meaningful moments often aren鈥檛 scheduled or celebrated. They鈥檙e found in the everyday, in what is human: late-night talks with Rev that begin with a Bible verse and end with life鈥檚 biggest questions, a small joke that lifts someone鈥檚 day, a staff member who remembers your name.
These moments don鈥檛 come with applause, but they stay with you. That鈥檚 the real beauty of this place, its potential to build something deeper than tradition, something rooted in care. These are the moments that remind me that meaning isn鈥檛 always made in the spotlight 鈥 sometimes, it鈥檚 made in the margins. It鈥檚 about those who uplift others.
At our best, we are a community that sees across year groups, disciplines, and differences. The opportunity of being here isn鈥檛 just to belong, but to help others feel they belong too.
What would you say to inspire younger students who might look up to you as a role model in your community?
We don鈥檛 need to wait for permission to become the people we hope to be. We don鈥檛 need titles or perfect plans 鈥 just the courage to care, to show up, and to try with clear intentions. Leadership isn鈥檛 about being the loudest in the room. It鈥檚 found in the quiet choices 鈥 when we listen with empathy, when we stand up for what鈥檚 right, and when we help those in need. If others look to us, that鈥檚 not a burden 鈥 it鈥檚 a chance. A chance to open doors, to walk alongside others, and to dedicate ourselves to something greater than recognition.
What I can say is: 鈥淩adiate boundless love towards the entire world鈥 and serve one another with all our hearts.
Because in the end, it鈥檚 not about how far we climb alone 鈥 it鈥檚 about how far we carry each other. The true test of our world is not about power, but purpose. And the measure of a life well-lived is not what we鈥檝e achieved for ourselves, but what we鈥檝e given for the greater good.
Always lead with love, kindness, respect and a genuine care for our world 馃檪
Miriam Palazzi
Miriam Palazzi (Fr 2025) is studying a Bachelor of Arts (International Relations) and a Bachelor of Laws at the University of Sydney. Originally from Lovedale, a rural suburb on the outskirts of Cessnock, NSW, Mim was drawn to 麻豆原创 for its academic, social, and recreational opportunities, as well as its vibrant and inclusive culture.
What unique opportunities have you participated in since moving to College?
There has been so much to love about living at 麻豆原创! I have participated in academic tutorials for all my subjects, I have completed the Leadership Essentials Course, and I鈥檝e attended the Law School Basics seminars.
I鈥檝e joined Book Club, gone on Walk & Talk, participated in Family Week, and so much more. I鈥檝e also tried out for Rosebowl and Palladian events, including netball, choir and solo vocal. I鈥檓 having so much fun and can鈥檛 wait to keep getting more involved.
What have been some of your favourite moments at College so far?
Living at St Andrew’s has been amazing, and I have met so many wonderful people who made me feel right at home. I remember being so nervous about moving out of home for the first time, but everyone was so welcoming from the start. There hasn’t been one standout moment. Instead, I鈥檝e loved gradually getting to know people better each day. The students here are incredibly talented, and I am honoured and humbled to have the opportunity to live and learn with such amazing people.
What would you say to inspire younger students who might look up to you as a role model in your community?
The most important thing is to believe in yourself!
Whenever I heard about someone receiving a scholarship like this one, I would assume there was something special about them, something amazing. I almost didn鈥檛 apply because I thought I had no chance. It was my best friend and my school鈥檚 Careers Advisor who convinced me to apply. Without their support, I wouldn鈥檛 be here.
Others will see potential in you that you don鈥檛 always see in yourself. So don鈥檛 let your own self-doubt stop you. Never count yourself out because of what you think you aren鈥檛, because even if you consider yourself ordinary, you can achieve exceptional things.
Read more about last year’s 2024 St Andrew’s Scholars: Marcel Forrer, Nathan Sewart and Atlanta Gervasoni.