CLASS ACT REALLY IS TOO COOL FOR SCHOOL
GOLD Coast teenager Beryl Compton, 17, will this year become the first member of her family in decades to graduate from high school.
And no one is prouder than the Miami High School teen’s parents.
“They can’t stop bragging about it,” the Gubi Gubi teenager gushed.
“I have my step-dad counting down the days to when I finish. That shocked me. It’s a pretty big and scary thing, I guess. I’ll be the first person in my family to graduate for about three generations.”
While celebrating NAIDOC week on Griffith University’s Gold Coast campus, Miss Compton reflected on the struggles her parents and ancestors endured so she could get an education.
“They had to fight for what we have today. They had to put their energy into fighting rather than education.
“Now we’re sitting here on Griffith University ... that’s freedom right there.”
Griffith University’s indigenous learning assistance officer Rennae Waters said more than ever young indigenous women like Miss Compton were finishing high school and going to university.
“The opportunities that are afforded our people now are greater,” Ms Waters said, “and a lot of them are the first in their families to attend university. So they’re grateful for the opportunities that are being afforded them that wasn’t given to their parents or grandparents.”
Miss Compton has her sights set on university but with a sporting twist.
“I’m happy to learn anything I guess (but) in line with architecture.
“I’m (also) going to focus on rugby sevens. I actually played with the Griffith Uni girls here – it was an awesome experience.”
Miss Compton’s big day arrives in November.