Some of the Fraser Coast’s best and brightest students will be rewarded for their efforts by the University of the Sunshine Coast.

OP2 students Jared Pacey from Maryborough and Hervey Bay’s Lauren Bosley and Courtney McKenna have each been awarded a USC Vice-Chancellor’s Merit Scholarship, worth up to $12,000.

They are among almost 20 USC students from the Fraser Coast region to gain a scholarship or bursary from the University this semester.

Jared, who has begun a Bachelor of Commerce at USC’s Fraser Coast campus, will also receive the $3,500 Poole Group Scholarship in Accounting.

USC will formally present the awards worth more than $60,000 at a special ceremony at the Fraser Coast campus tomorrow.

Funded by USC, local businesses, organisations and individuals, these scholarships, bursaries and academic prizes encourage academic excellence and provide financial support to students.

Two new awards are being presented for the first time this year. Bachelor of Business student Kerri Hetherington will receive the $2,000 Oceans Resort and Spa Tourism Bursary, and Animal Ecology student Zerra Edgerton will be awarded the Wildlife Queensland Fraser Coast Prize, valued at $500.

Other recipients include:

• Chloe Amarandos, The June Canavan Regional Scholarship — $20,000

• Michelle Valdivia, Freemasons of Hervey Bay Bursary — $1,000

• Alexandra Chapman and Peter Nugent, Lucy Harris Nursing Bursaries — $1,000 per student

• Julie Curtis, Fraser Coast Anglican College Prize in Education for highest-achieving second-year or third-year Bachelor of Education student — $500

• Nigel Misztela, Drew Stephenson Chartered Accountants Prize for highest-achieving first-year accounting student — $500

• Asha Sara, Inner Wheel Club and Rotary Club of Hervey Bay Prize in Nursing — $500

• Hope Huddleston, Headstart Scholarship

Oceans Resort and Spa General Manager Chris Taylor said the organisation was proud to partner with USC to support local tourism students.

“Supporting tourism education insures the future of our industry, especially locally here in Hervey Bay,” he said. “Education is so critical for lifelong success and we want USC to strive ahead with growth and opportunities for the youth of Hervey Bay,” Mr Taylor said.

— Clare McKay