OP1 student and volunteer surf lifesaver Madeline Moss has received a $32,000 financial boost to her studies at USC after being awarded a Thompson Excellence Scholarship.

The 17-year-old Warana resident, who was the dux of Kawana Waters State College, is one of four new USC students to receive the scholarship for academic excellence and leadership.

Now in her first semester of a combined degree in Business and Science, Madeline is balancing her studies with volunteer surf lifesaving duties at Kawana Surf Life Saving Club.

She said receiving the scholarship, which is funded by philanthropists Roy and Nola Thompson, had given her even more motivation to succeed in her chosen degree.

“I’m ecstatic to have been chosen for such a major scholarship,” Madeline said. “It takes a lot of pressure off both me and my parents, and I don’t have to worry about working so much to afford things like textbooks.

“I’ll really be able to focus on my studies and hopefully get some really good results.

“It was great to be able to meet the Thompsons and let them know how much this means to me.”

Madeline earned her bronze medallion for lifesaving in 2015, and has also participated extensively in acrobatics as both a competitor and coach.

She said enrolling at USC had allowed her to stay close to her friends and the beach while undertaking her ideal degree.

“Studying both Business and Science seemed tailor made for me,” she said. “It’s a really diverse program and I’m already uncovering some areas that I’m really passionate about.”

— Gen Kennedy