The Year 11 student from Mount View High School received the honour alongside fellow Mount View student and cellist Lillian Taylor, also in Year 11, at the society’s final lecture of the year at Cessnock Performing Arts Centre.

Society chairman Heather Wilson explained the scholarship was intended to assist with funding the students’ HSC major works in 2019.

“Part of it is also to encourage students to actually learn how to apply for a scholarship, to define what their goals are and to have a plan because that’s a very important part of life when you get to this age group,” she said.

While choosing two recipients proved quite the task, given the depth of young creative talent in the region,both Ryan and Lillian’s applications shone above the rest.

“Ryan stood out for his application, presentation, his skills and references. and Lillian came with the most wonderful reviews from her teachers and is obviously very talented and committed to her music and we had no hesitation in offering an encouragement award,” Ms Wilson said.

Ryan, who was made aware of the $1000 scholarship after working as a doorman for Mount View High’s Year 12 graduation assembly, said he was over the moon.

“I was ecstatic that I had won this special honour,” he said. “I had put everything I could into that submission and I am really happy to be able put this to use to assist me with my major work.”

Ryan said he intends to use his award to purchase camera and special effects equipment while Lillian will use her $250 encouragement award for cello lessons to help perfect her HSC performance pieces.