Three young Wodonga students will embark on separate adventures with a leg up from Wodonga Council after receiving Young Achievers Scheme awards at last night’s council meeting.
Nicholas Evans, 18, will represent Catholic College Wodonga and his community when he competes at next month’s Australian School Sport Swimming Championships in Brisbane.
Nicholas, who has been taking part in the sport for eight years, will compete in two individual events – 50m butterfly and 50m freestyle, as well as competing in relays.
In March, Nicholas won the 50m butterfly in the Victorian Age Championships where he finished in the top ten for time in his age group.
Nicholas (pictured in the middle) with his trophy.
Nicholas, a member of the Albury North Lavington Swimming Club, trains in the pool for up to six sessions a week.
Nicholas’ mum, Caroline, said her son was dedicated to his sport and trains hard to achieve his goals.
“His training is full-on. He will do six swim sessions and two to three gym sessions each week,” she said.
Caitlin Weppner is also a YAS recipient.
The Catholic College Wodonga student has been involved in scouting since the age of six and recently completed her Australian Scout Medallion, which is the highest recognition that the Scout Section can bestow.
Caitlin, who turns 15 next month, will travel to South Korea in August for the 25th World Scout Jamboree.
The event invites young people from all over the world to exchange cultures and enjoy adventures while making friendships.
Caitlin will be one of 50,000 teenagers from 169 countries to attend.
Caitlin’s mum, Andrea, said Caitlin was passionate about scouting and participates in any community activity that she can.
“She has grown up with it and loves everything about scouts, especially the opportunities to try activities such as scuba diving, abseiling and hiking,” Andrea said.
“The opportunities available are endless.”
Basketballer Benjamin Skalic was also presented with a YAS award.
Benjamin, who turns 16 at the end of the month, will travel to the United States in December for the USA North East Bushrangers Basketball Tour.
The talented teenager played representative basketball for the Wodonga Wolves six years ago and was invited to play for North East Bushrangers by his coach, Brett Harvey.
The Bushrangers will play ten college basketball games against college students aged between 15 and 19.
Benjamin is looking forward to playing games in Ohio, Kentucky, Los Angeles, and New York where there will be United States scouts looking at selecting players for sporting scholarships.
“I will get to visit the schools, see the towns and watch some college trainings to see what it’s like to play basketball in another country,” Benjamin asid.
“Structure-wise it is very different, Their facilities are out of this world compared to us and they have more coaches.”
Benjamin will spend three weeks in the United States as part of the tour and looks forward to spending a further three weeks sightseeing with his family.
