Our communities are full of remarkable stories which are as inspiring as they are jaw-dropping.
Many will have read a story this week about a girl who probably yearns to be like everyone else.
However, when Samari Heidari sits back this week and reflects on her schooling life, it will be different.
She will be able to reflect on how she got to attend school in the first place, as a 9-year-old, with very little English.
While she learned some skills in a refugee camp, those around her had a significant head start. Yet, she persevered.
Last week, she finished her school life at just 16, with two high achievement awards, and a working career in her sights.
Before she arrived in Australia, that level of achievement was little more than a dream.
It is incredible to ponder the level of diligence she would have required to get to where she has, the distractions of a large family – 11 siblings, no less – the language barrier, the missing foundations in her learning, the thoughts of her past, and the disadvantage of being unsettled in a transient envioronment.
Despite these factors, she has come up trumps, worked within a system that is designed to help her, and laid the foundations for her next step.
Samari is a true inspiration to anyone. And yes, her story is truly remarkable.
