WHATEVER happens, three Loreto girls preparing to face each other in competition say they will be encouraging each other the whole way.
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Their extensive school and community leadership is a key component for the Lions Club youth of the year regional final but finalists much also give a prepared speech on a topic of their choice and face impromptu questions in what is set to be an all-Loreto event.
School captain Tessa Canny (Buninyong-Mount Helen), year 11 Sarah Harrington (Sebastopol) and year 10 Theresa McGoldrick (Ballarat) have earned their places on Sunday after tightly contested zone finals.
Ms Harrington, whose passion is the environment and preventing climate change, said there were nerves, but the girls were in this aiming to do their best together.
"It's a pretty good achievement for Loreto from good competition. Whoever wins we'll be happy for them," Ms Harrington said.
This is a really tough competition. You could be asked anything.
- Sarah Harrington, year 10
"I've been going through newspapers and discussing issues with my dad. We've been following news here, nationally and overseas."
Ms Harrington was put on the spot in zone competition when asked if she were Ballarat's mayor, what would she do. So, she tapped into her environmentally-friendly focus and tackled parking with ways to improve public transport in the city.
Ms McGoldrick was asked if she were born a boy, would her life be any different. She felt greater gender parity, including access to education, would not make for any major changes in how she lived her life.
With keen interests in music and media influence, Ms McGoldrick is passionate about getting involved in Thai cultural events, like dancing.
"I'm half Thai, but I want to be able to embrace and share both cultures - Thai and Australian," Ms McGoldrick said. "I think it's important to celebrate both."
Ms Canny has been involved in social enterprises, including personal care products Thank You to help people globally who are living in poverty, and Taboo, which works to promote sanitary care of women worldwide.
In zone competition, Ms Canny was asked whether political leaders should be building bridges or walls. Her focus was on how we should all be helping each other.
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