By ALESHA CAPONE
A ST ALBANS Secondary College student has been selected to attend a prestigious leadership conference in Sydney.
Emma Kiernan, 16, will attend the UBS Young Women’s Leadership Academy at Sydney University this month.
The five-day program introduces Year 11 students to a group of female leaders and offers leadership skills development.
Emma has been selected from applicants across the ACT, NSW and Victoria to take part in the academy.
“I feel very honoured to be able to attend and especially because the school chose me to apply,” she said.
“Only one girl from each school could be picked to apply – but then to be chosen for the actual event was unbelievable.
“What I’m looking forward to is just meeting all the other girls, finding out why they wanted to come, finding out their inspirations and gaining new ideas and ways to improve my leadership.
“I just feel very blessed I was given this opportunity and I’m definitely going to do my best.”
Emma has a strong history of leadership roles at St Albans Secondary College, where she has been an SRC member for the past three years and captain of the netball team for five years.
“I would say one of my biggest inspirations is Oprah – I think what she has done, how many times she was knocked back and then gone on to achieve so much – is wonderful,” Emma said.
“It proves if you have that determination to success, you can do anything.”
Emma said the qualities needed to be a good leader include confidence and compassion.
“If you’re able to voice what other people maybe can’t or don’t have the confidence to, then that can get you a lot of respect,” she said.
