TONI O’CONNOR awoke before the crack of dawn most mornings to pursue her dream career.
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The young woman demonstrated her unrivalled passion and dedication to her studies, travelling almost two hours several times a week to learn her craft.
Her near-daily commutes from Young to Turvey Park were made worthwhile when she graduated with a Certificate IV in beauty therapy and was named the Wagga Campus Student of the Year.
She is one of more than 600 Wagga students who took the first step towards their dream career after graduating from TAFE Riverina on Tuesday.
Friends and family members joined the celebrations with the graduates, who completed courses from a range of disciplines including community services, arts, automotive, business and construction.
Ms O’Connor was “honoured” to be recognised for her years of hard work.
“It’s comforting to know that it has all been worth it,” she said.
TAFE Riverina area manager Anne Lowe said Toni was a worthy winner.
“She has a passion for beauty therapy and has built a loyal customer base already,” she said.
“She’s highly motivated, a natural leader, and a great asset to her industry.”
The prestigious award is presented each year.
