By Ethan Benedicto
Achievements are often made more memorable by the recognition that comes after, but when they come unexpectedly, it’s more than just a welcome surprise.
Skye Ferguson, a Year 12 VCE student from St Francis Xavier College in Beaconsfield won this year’s Frank Facey Student Award for her academic feats, but the accolade was not something she had counted herself on winning.
“My deputy principal pulled me out of class one day and nominated me for the award and then it was a couple of months later that I found out I’d won it,” she said.
“I didn’t expect to be nominated to be honest.”
The Frank Facey Award is a yearly prize given by Dandenong based Facey Property to commemorate students who have performed and excelled in their studies.
Before Skye knew about the award, she had already been pushing herself to do well in her studies.
“I’ve been making sure that I’ve been doing the best I possibly can, and it was nice that someone could recognise my hard work.”
Winning a total prize of $2000, with $1500 for herself and $500 for her school, Skye not only felt appreciated but also reassured.
“None of the awards we get at school are usually this big or involve money, so it was obviously a first and a bit shocking really.”
Facey Property director Mark Bond said the tradition began in 2017 as a celebration of the company’s 100-year anniversary of real estate work.
“We made a decision at that time to reach out to local secondary schools and have an award,” Mr Bond said.
“We really felt like there wasn’t enough acknowledgement for secondary students that are coming from local businesses in the community, which is why we went in that direction.”
With her sights set on Monash and Melbourne University, the award gave Skye an academic and morale boost to keep working harder.
“It’s motivated me to keep going, especially coming up to exam season, it’s made me more determined and with knowing that people are out there trying to help me as well,” Skye said.
Skye was not only nominated for her efforts, but also for what her school described as her unwavering dedication, passion and hard work in reaching her academic goals.
Embodying the spirit of perseverance and positive influence, the award solidified her as an excellent role model for all students not just in her school, but also for others in the same shoes.
The first student to win an award from St Francis Xavier College, Mr Bond said Skye’s success helped “reconnect that Facey Family name with the local community.”
The second and third-place students were from Fountain Gate Secondary College, also first-time winners, and were respectively awarded a $250 and $100 Officeworks voucher.
