BRIANNA Michie will enter senior high school with a renewed focus on empowering others, after participating in a program she credits with boosting her confidence.
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The Hunter student, who will enter year 11 at Alesco Senior College Northlakes, was identified by her teachers last year as having leadership qualities and chosen to participate in the state government's Youth Frontiers program.
It connects teens with volunteer mentors for 35 hours and allows them to complete a project on an issue that interests them.
Brianna, 16, worked with YWCA Australia's Madeline Jubb to create a video about women's empowerment and self-love, which former Australian Sex Discrimination Commissioner Elizabeth Broderick AO and former senator Natasha Stott Despoja AO have since retweeted.
"I feel like a lot of teenagers struggle when growing up with trying to find themselves and being confident with who they are," Brianna said.
"Being in Youth Frontiers, so many people have showed me it's okay to be myself and be confident in who I am. I feel like I've changed and become more of myself - like I've found myself through it.
"Making this video is not going to fix all problems. But it's helped me a lot more and I've come out feeling empowered and wanted in my community."
Brianna said she built her project around a quote about not letting others determine your self worth.
"I want other people my age to know if they have thoughts about wanting to change something that they have the power to do it - everyone has the potential to do what they want to do."
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Helen Gregory
Helen Gregory joined the Newcastle Herald in 2010. She is the masthead’s education reporter and has written for the H2 and Weekender sections, as well as across a range of issues. Helen is a Walkley Award winning journalist and was also part of the Newcastle Herald team that won the United Nations World Environment Day Media Award for Environmental Reporting.
Helen Gregory joined the Newcastle Herald in 2010. She is the masthead’s education reporter and has written for the H2 and Weekender sections, as well as across a range of issues. Helen is a Walkley Award winning journalist and was also part of the Newcastle Herald team that won the United Nations World Environment Day Media Award for Environmental Reporting.
