A graduation ceremony and showcase was held at Cessnock Leagues Club on Friday for the 2017 Max Potential program.
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Fourteen high school students took part in the 22-week program, in which they are partnered with a volunteer coach to develop personal leadership skills, and work on a project that will benefit their local community.
Max Potential program manager Julie Stevens said this year’s participants have worked extremely hard to complete the program.
“These young adults have achieved amazing things, we have seen tremendous growth in all of them,” she said.
“Each of them will walk away with something different – they define what they want to get out of it.
“It’s our purpose to accelerate their personal leadership growth and use it in a practical way.”
The 14 students came from Mount View, Kurri Kurri and Singleton High School, St Philip’s Christian College Cessnock and St Joseph’s Lochinvar.
Their projects supported a wide range of organisations, interests and causes, from women’s refuges, to school homework programs, to concussion awareness.
Mount View High School student Naomi Martin was partnered with Cessnock Leagues Club staff member Tracy Enright for the 22-week program.
Her community project supported Carrie’s Place Domestic Violence and Homelessness Services.
She collected dozens of non-perishable food and personal items for the service.
“I wanted to help these women who are seriously disadvantaged by their situation,” she said.
“It’s really important to support them, especially when they have children.
“They have been through hell and back.
“Carrie’s Place gives them a place to be safe, to have clothes on their back and food on the table.”
Naomi is still collecting donations for her project, which can be dropped off at Mount View High School.
MAX POTENTIAL 2017 PARTICIPANTS
- Jack Benic (Kurri Kurri High School); coach, Karen Harrison
- Marnie Bullen (Mount View High School); coach, Louise Cairns
- Rodney Cerezo (Singleton High School); coach, Jesse Nash
- Zakk Cherry (Kurri Kurri High School); coach, Christopher Warren
- Lily Cox (St Philip’s Christian College); coach, Sharon Corrigan
- Rhys Field (Kurri Kurri High School); coach, Peter Cook
- Sophie Hartley (Mount View High School); coach, Cindy Pearson
- Ian Johnson (St Joseph’s Lochinvar); coach, John Harwood
- Daniel Lambkin (Mount View High School); coach, Paul Cousins
- Zack MacDonnell (Singleton High School); coach, Mark Wiblen
- Naomi Martin (Mount View High School); coach, Tracy Enright
- Sophie Nella (Mount View High School); coach, Char MacDonald
- Rosa Obeid (St Joseph’s Lochinvar); coach, Adam Gibson
- Elizabeth Wells (Singleton High School); coach, Sarah Lewis