Hephzibah is HSC dux

Hephzibah Crossing of Horsfield Bay has been announced as dux of Brisbane Water Secondary College Woy Woy Campus with an HSC ATAR of 97.35.

She achieved three Band 6s in Agriculture, Earth Science and Advanced Mathematics; and the highest level (E4) in extension 1 and extension 2 mathematics as well as a Band 5 in English.

The outstanding results have propelled her into the coveted Merit Scholarship program at Sydney University.

Hephzibah attended the High Achievers' breakfast at the university on Tuesday, January 5.

The scholarship offered by the agriculture and environment faculty at Sydney University is worth $8000 per annum over four years.

Hephzibah believes the scholarship program at Sydney is one of the best world-wide for the study of soils.

"The course is agricultural science at Sydney University and it will be a lot of chemistry and biology in relation to looking after soils and the earth and it will have aspects of environmental care and productivity in agriculture," Ms Crossing said.

Hephzibah's brother, Kip Crossing, is already doing his PhD at the Ag and Environment Faculty at Sydney University.

Hephzibah thinks she could follow the same course.

"I could do a PhD.

"I have been thinking about it.

"I'd love to continue research but I'd love to go to an organisation like the CSIRO or Monsanto and do research for them," she said.

Hephzibah attributes her HSC success to studying hard, selecting subjects (maths and science) that are scaled well and to having the unfailing support of her family and teachers.

She said agriculture had been her great passion since living with her mother in India in 2010 and working alongside Zimbabwe farmers who dedicate themselves to help restore soil security for the poor.

At the beginning of Year 11, Hephzibah changed schools to the local college so she could study agriculture.

The agriculture department which uses the Umina campus school farm has a long-standing reputation as one of the highest performing comprehensive schools in NSW for showing cattle and pigs at regional to national levels, regularly achieving champion status.

Umina Rotary, other community sponsors and generous partnerships with commercial breeders, assist the school to provide these opportunities for students.

The Crossing family has now decided to provide a Scholarship for Excellence in Agriculture to enable Brisbane Water Secondary College to assist an outstanding Year 12 student who intends to undertake tertiary studies in agriculture.

It will be donated to the collecge to assist an outstanding Year 12 Higher School Certificate Agriculture student who intends to pursue tertiary education in the field of agriculture.

The award will be offered to a student who has demonstrated dedication in both practical and theoretical studies in agriculture throughout the Higher School Certificate year.

The scholarship is valued at $1000 and is to assist in the direct educational expenses incurred during tertiary education and is available for the years 2016, 2017 and 2018.

Submission, 4 Jan 2015

Margot Crossing, Horsfield Bay

Interview, 4 Jan 2015

Hephzibah Crossing, Horsfield Bay