SCU STAR MAKING WAVES
The Rising Stars Scholarship winner has made waves in the world of surfing and with her studies at the Southern Cross University
SHE has surfed the same leagues as Steph Gilmore, Tyler Wright and Coco Ho — but 20-year-old Jacinta Greenup is almost done taking on her biggest challenge yet — university.
The Southern Cross University student has received the Rising Stars Scholarship, a program which aims to support inspirational students by
granting them as much as $5000.
Ms Greenup’s surfing talent and dedication caught the eye of the university when she finished Year 12 at Kingscliff High School in 2015.
From the moment she rode her first wave near her Cabarita home as a child, she was hooked.
Even before graduating high school she was competing in the World Qualifying Series, also competing in NSW surfing state championships and Australian national titles.
She still teaches surf lessons and helps out at the surfing for the disabled program, but for now she’s put her competing days on hold.
“I’ve been able to use the money to pay for accommodation … and also to travel and compete in surfing competitions in America … during the first two years of my degree,” she said.
“It’s been easy to focus on uni without the pressure of also having a part-time job while training and competing and I’ve been able to consistently achieve good grades in the degree that I love studying.”
The Rising Stars program has been supported by the Twin Town Services Club since 2010, with deputy chair and chair of donations Brian Brown saying they’re extremely proud.
“We have been so impressed with the young people that we have been able to meet and support including Jacinta,” he said. “We know that in some way they will go into the community and make a difference through the work they do in their future career.”
According to SCU Pro Vice Chancellor of Engagement Ben Roche, 2018 resulted in 66 new and continuing students being supported by the scholarship across campuses.
“Rising Stars Scholarships continue to provide transformational opportunities for our students, which is made possible by the generosity and commitment of our donor community,” he said.
“It is our core values which unite us around our vision, which is anchored in the need to provide students with the opportunity to achieve their potential.
“As a family with a shared vision for change, we can truly make a difference, just like Jacinta, one student at a time.”