A high-achieving maths student from Mapleton who has decided to swap calculus for creative writing and algebra for advertising has received a $32,000 Thompson Excellence Scholarship from the University of the Sunshine Coast.

Josh Hoschke graduated with an OP2 from Nambour Christian College last year after excelling in mathematics, but decided to enrol in a Bachelor of Creative Industries at USC to pursue a career as an author or copywriter.

The 17-year-old, who was a volunteer mentor to younger students in his area through a community service program, was one of four new undergraduate students at the University to receive the prestigious scholarship this year.

Josh said he was delighted to be selected for the award, funded through a $5 million gift to the University from Roy and Nola Thompson and presented on the basis of academic excellence and leadership.

“Receiving the scholarship will make a huge difference to my university experience,” he said. “It will help with my transport costs and I won’t have to work as many hours at my part-time job, which will give me more time to focus on studying.

“I had the chance to meet the Thompsons recently, and I’m really grateful for their support.”

Josh, who is completing a double major in advertising and writing, said his experience of writing blogs for a music website had sparked his interest in studying Creative Industries.

“I did a lot of mathematics subjects at school, but I’ve always had a strong interest in writing,” he said.

“I think it would be great to be working in a career where I can use my creative side every day. I’d really like to work towards being a copywriter for an advertising agency.”

The Thompson Excellence Scholarships were presented for the first time in 2015 and will continue to be awarded on an annual basis.

— Gen Kennedy