Power Community Limited have presented two deserving Year 12 students with the inaugural Empowering Futures Award, which includes a $1000 scholarship to support their further education or help facilitate their transition to an employment pathway.

The deserving two recipients, Peyton Aspel and Kale Karpany, have participated in the Santos Aboriginal Power Cup program for a minimum of two years, have successfully graduated high school in 2022, achieved success in academic leadership and sport, and have plans to transition to tertiary education or employment pathway next year.

Aboriginal Program Manager, Braedon Talbot said the scholarship will provide significant and important financial assistance for students, while also providing a tangible incentive for them to stay in the program and complete their education.

“The SAASTA Power Connect, and Santos Aboriginal Power Cup programs have an incredible success rate, with 96% of students who take part in the Power Cup program going onto complete their education, while also playing a huge part in helping to Close The Gap”, Mr. Talbot said.

“The introduction of the inaugural Empowering Futures Award not only rewards two deserving students per year, but also provides another incentive for them to complete their education.

“For many Year 12 students, finishing school can be an incredibly daunting experience, especially for those where further education pathways may not be an option financially, or who are looking for an entry point to commence their careers fresh from school.

“This scholarship is designed to provide some financial assistance in this area, while also rewarding two students who have applied themselves and have set a positive example for the younger cohorts who are also moving through the program.

“The intention is to grow this aspect of the program, and hopefully help many more students with, what can be, a challenging time in their lives”.

Winner Peyton Aspel credits the Santos Aboriginal Power Cup and SAASTA programs as key factors in motivating her to complete her education, improving her confidence, and opening various further education and career pathways for her to explore next year.

“Participating in the Power Cup helped me during my years of schooling as it gave me something to work towards and gave me the motivation I needed to complete schoolwork”, Miss Aspel said.

“I was given opportunities that I would not have been given without being a part of SAASTA.

“I think everyone in SAASTA will tell you it’s not just a sports-based program it’s so much more in that. It plays a part in helping Aboriginal kids connecting with their culture in different ways that aren’t always available in school.

“It has helped me develop lifelong skills that I will use in my journey outside of school like communication skills, leadership skills and just helped me gain confidence when speaking.

“This scholarship will help me financially to get all the attainments I need to work. I will be able to purchase new work clothing. And I will also be saving towards a car for myself to be able to gain some independency when going to work or university.

“I have applied to study nursing at the University of Adelaide, however I have been offered a part time job at Para Hills High School working with the SAASTA Connect kids and tutoring them and helping them connect with culture, as an Aboriginal person who has been through SAASTA and knows how important it is to have a strong connection with culture.

“Overall, these opportunities I was given by SAASTA has given me a massive starting point to start my career pathway which I am very grateful for”.

While Kale Karpany says that winning the scholarship will allow him to move from the country into Adelaide, removing the financial stress that comes with relocating.

“Participating in the Santos Aboriginal Power Cup meant a lot to me as it meant that I was able to celebrate my culture in a safe environment and meet new people that celebrate the same culture as me”, Mr. Karpany said. 

“The Power cup also meant that I was able to enhance my leadership skills in different environment and around different people.

“Winning this scholarship means that I can have a more comfortable transition from the country life into the city life and it takes some of the worries and stress of moving away so that I am able to focus on further education. It also means that I can kickstart my career and further employment.

“Next year I hope to be able to educate the younger generations about healthy relationships and healthy lives through the programs. I also hope to be able to teach younger SAASTA students about their culture and why culture is so important to Aboriginal people”.

The inaugural award was made possible through the generous donation of long-time supporter of Power Community Limited, Karen Bartel. 

The Empowering Futures Award will return in 2023, as the Power Community Team continue to grow its flagship programs to continue to create much needed change in the community.