The success and growth of Shooting Stars participants continue even after finishing school, and for Taya and Jayeisha, both former Narrogin Senior High School students, the urge to give back and become role models for the girls in their community has led them to continue their journey with Shooting Stars from the other side. Both returned as staff after completing school and then working in Narrogin for a period, bringing their student and work-life experiences and perspectives to their roles.
Taya, who has been working at Shooting Stars since 2019, has stepped up into the Program Coordinator role this year, which reflects her growth and development during her time as a staff member. She started as a trainee – shadowing, studying, and building relationships with the girls.
“But now I have more responsibilities, there’s no room to be shame or shy or anything. I’ve got to speak and be the advocate for not only the girls but my staff as well. So it’s definitely pushing me outside my comfort zone but yeah, I’m ready for it”, she says.
“My motivation is the girls. So every time I hear a success story about them, it gives me a little more in my cup, you know.”
Professional development is a key priority in the organisation, so it’s exciting to hear Taya reflect on her growth.
“… Aunty Toya and Res gave me opportunities to grow, to take over sessions and plan them, and then eventually, excursions and then when we had guests down, I’d run the day. So definitely a lot more confident, especially with public speaking.”
Jayeisha, having been a Shooting Stars participant herself, graduated in 2021. She worked as an education assistant at Narrogin Primary in 2022 before joining the Shooting Stars staff this year, already proving to be an excellent addition. She talks about her motivation to give back by supporting the participants:
“… helping them grow and you know, become more themselves every day.”
“So I had Taya, Tia, Aunty Toya and Resa – I think they inspired me a lot in that aspect of coming back in, helping out the girls and giving back to the community. I’m big on giving back to the people that helped me, and they really inspired me through the things that they’ve done, how they’ve done them and where they are now”, she says.
As someone who is clearly driven to help others, whether it’s family, colleagues or the younger generation, it’s exciting to hear what she’s planning next. After her experience working as an EA, which sparked her passion for the field, she is currently studying to become an early childhood teacher.
“It just makes me so happy to think that I’m going to go into that pathways and help young kids with an education, and I really would like to get the degree and go somewhere where it’s actually needed … so somewhere inland or up north, or somewhere like that … I’m all about going to help those who need it, and I’m really keen on doing that.”
Both Taya and Jayeisha’s stories truly embody the essence of what Shooting Stars is all about – their dedication to giving back and supporting the next generation of leaders as they continue to grow themselves as confident and ambitious leaders is inspiring. There are countless other unique and powerful stories from women across the Shooting Stars team and we can’t wait to share more.
If you would like to read Taya’s story in more detail, along with stories from other women in the Shooting Stars network, you can find out more in our published book, ‘Kaya Kwopetok Koorlang Yok – Dear Beautiful Young Woman’.
