OGCs in the USA

By Jennifer Chiu, Publications Coordinator

Three Old Geelong Collegians have earned the chance to study in the USA after receiving sports scholarships. Mimmi Balaam, Ava Gorell and Ruby Pekin-Schlicht - all from the College’s Class of 2018 - were offered places in various institutions in the US. They applied for the scholarships with the support of Australian-based athletic agencies, along with the College’s careers and sports staff. Ruby (St Thomas Aquinas College, New York) and Ava (Southern Methodist University, Texas) have already moved to the States, while Mimmi will begin at the University of Miami in coming months.

Ava, who’s on a rowing scholarship, said she had enjoyed her university experience so far. After she arrived in Texas, she embarked on a rowing camp for two weeks, with one week in California and the other week in Dallas.

Ava said she was interested in studying social psychology and education. In the US system, students don’t have to declare a major until the end of their second (sophomore) year. “Things have been going great! … SMU is beyond anything I imagined. It’s beautiful, everyone is so nice and welcoming and I already feel part of SMU!” she said.

Ruby has jumped into her athletics program, arriving in New York on New Year’s Day before beginning training the next day. She has competed in New York, Boston, Miami, Texas and Philadelphia, won a 400m hurdles race, came third in a Texas heptathlon, and received East Coast Conference awards for the indoor and outdoor seasons of high jump and 400m hurdles.

Not only is it important to maintain high standards on the track and field, Ruby must also uphold a strong academic record. The forensic science student did well enough in her five first semester subjects to be named on the Dean’s List, which means she obtained a 3.5+ GPA (out of 4). Despite a busy schedule, Ruby is enjoying university life, good friendships and her time in the USA.

Ava Gorell at the Southern Methodist University in Texas.

Mimmi will be studying sports administration and participating in the University of Miami’s rowing program for four years from August. She’ll compete in the Atlantic Coast Conference against rowers from other colleges including Virginia, Duke and Clemson; as well as gain practical sports administration experience through internships at professional clubs, such as Miami’s basketball, football and baseball teams.

Mimmi said she was excited and grateful to have received the rowing scholarship, and that she had spent the past few months rowing with Mercantile in Melbourne to get fit and strong in preparation for her US program. “It’s been an 18-month-long process to receive my offer, including sitting the American College entrance exams and sending rowing footage over, and I am so thankful to have had enormous support and help from (College Careers Educator) Mr Adrian Blades during this process,” she said.