Senior Students Claire and Mateja Profiled for International Women’s Day

By Kerie Hull and Beth Doherty 

Claire Mackenzie and Mateja Kostrica are two exceptional young women who are in Year 12 at St Francis Xavier College.

Last week, the Catholic Education Office interviewed both young women about their goals and hopes for the future, and in particular focused on their aspirations as young female leaders.

The videos can be watched at the following link on the CEO website.

Mateja is heavily involved within the school and wider community, assisting younger students with getting in touch with their spirituality, creating friendships and volunteering time to the elderly.

“Helping someone is one of the greater assets in life and something that you learn to acquire throughout many years,” she said.

Mateja would love to travel, witness different cultures first-hand and see how women grow and flourish in other countries.

“Being a woman in 2018 is one of the most amazing things, but we still have a long way to go in terms of equal rights,” she said.

“At the core of being a woman is my faith, which helps you believe in yourself and have a vision and pathway to progress.

Seventeen-year-old St Francis Xavier College student Claire Mackenzie is passionate about the power of language, wants to use words for good and is an advocate for equality.

“I know that I need to fight to get where I want to be in life and I’m willing to do that,” she said.

Claire describes being a woman as a challenge – but a good one, appreciates how far we have come as a society and embraces the unknown when it comes to her future.

“There’s always things that can change and get better and grow and develop in society and I’m excited to see that happen as I grow older and I begin to take part in that movement,” she said.

“I’m really proud to be a part of the Catholic community, which has always been a big part of my identity.”