Sophie Lew

Awards for 2017: Mathematics, Mensch of the Year, Modern History and Academic Excellence

Year entered Emanuel: 2005 and 2016 ATAR: 99.20

Emanuel is a community of people who care and nurture each other. I feel that the School has provided me with opportunities far beyond those I could have imagined.

While Sophie has had a strong academic record, she also excels in the spheres of leadership and community service. As Social Action Madricha, she advocated for issues such as feminism, ethical volunteering and improving the gender wage gap. She also participated in several charity events to raise money for organisations such as the Cancer Council and organised an Emanuel team for the White Ribbon Walk in 2016. Sophie hopes that her “outspoken and at times controversial opinions had an impact on other students and helped them to think critically”.

Sophie enjoyed debating and was a HICES state finalist in Year 11. She participated in the Rostrum Voice Public Speaking Competition in 2016 and 2017 and was also a state finalist in the UN Youth Evatt Competition in 2016. Her talents don’t stop there and she has also been a member of the School’s various choirs.

Sophie’s teachers describe her as “a conscientious student who is motivated, mature, ambitious and enthusiastic”. Her friends describe her as “positive, warm, supportive and caring”. In support of this, Sophie was awarded Mensch of the Year in 2016.