SOUTH Coast surfer Charlie Guerit has one more wave to catch before landing himself a prestigious university scholarship, after a tough start to his final year of school.
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The year 12 student, of Bawley Point, is a step closer to winning the sought-after Tuckwell Foundation scholarship, worth $21,700 a year throughout an undergraduate degree.
Charlie is part of a select group of students who will receive the scholarship, if he achieves an ATAR of at least 90 in this year’s Higher School Certificate exams.
The 17-year-old hopes to study law and international studies or international security at the Australian National University in Canberra.
Charlie, who loves to surf up and down the Eurobodalla and Shoalhaven coasts, is school captain of the Shoalhaven Anglican School, Milton.
He was one of 25 students from around Australia to reach the final stage in the program, which attracted 742 applications.
“I had to go through three stages,” he said.
“We had to send in a written application with our school marks.
“Then we had to go through an analytical test and after that we went up to a weekend at the university and had a range of interviews.”
Charlie was proud of his achievement and looks forward to university.
“I was stoked when I got the call,” he said.
“I feel pretty lucky.
“My teachers are pretty happy for me, but I can imagine they are pretty stressed as well because I need to get a high ATAR.
“Mum and dad were super happy.”
Charlie’s parents have another reason to be “super happy”.
At the beginning of 2015, Charlie overcame cancer, which forced him to have the whole first term of year 12 off school.
“It was intense, but it is good that I am moving on from that,” he said.
“It gave me a different perspective on life, which I think helped me get the scholarship anyway.
“I have to catch up on the work I missed.”
Although the stress of paying for university could be lifted off his shoulders, Charlie is still worried about getting an ATAR of 90.
“If I don’t get that I will miss out on the scholarship,” he said.
If successful, he will use the scholarship money to pay for on-campus accommodation and text books.
“Campus accommodation is around $15,000 a year,” Charlie said.
“It also means I will be able to focus on studying and won’t have to work.
“I need to fund myself through university, so this scholarship will allow me to make the most of every opportunity and enjoy university life.
“I am broke, so I am depending on this.”
Charlie is studying law, modern history, geography, advanced English and extension English this year.
With his degree, Charlie wants to make a difference.
“There are limitless opportunities to help people and make a difference,” he said.
“Having this knowledge behind me will give me the tools I need.
“I’d love to go into international law and join a non-government organisation or intergovernmental organisation and I’m willing to go for the challenge.”
