In 2018, year 9 student at Narrogin Senior High School, Aaliyah Ugle, joined the Shooting Stars program as a participant. This year, she will join the Shooting Stars team as a trainee assistant at the very same site.
The full circle moment is extremely humbling for Shooting Stars, proving that the program is providing support and guidance for participants to feel empowered in making informed decisions on their future.
Aaliyah spoke of her excitement in joining the program that provided a safe and welcoming space during her final years of schooling.
“Shooting Stars has helped me to become a more confident and independent young woman,” she said, “I think that the program gives young girls an opportunity to improve their lifestyle.”
Tiresa Foai was the program coordinator for the Narrogin site when Aaliyah joined. Now the regional manager overseeing all sites in the Southwest region, Tiresa is delighted to see Aaliyah come full circle.
“It brings me so much pride & joy to witness Aaliyah’s journey from 2018 as a year 9 Shooting Stars participant, to this year having her come on board as Narrogin’s newest staff member. I love working for an organisation that walks the walk – we have walked alongside and supported Aaliyah in her schooling years and now we are about to embark on this new chapter in empowering her as a strong young leader in community. I am beyond excited for Aaliyah!”
Latoya Bolton-Black, fellow Wiilman woman and Shooting Stars Operations Manager, has watched Aaliyah’s journey throughout the years and has reflected on her journey.
“Aaliyah has been a participant of the Narrogin program since 2018 when I first commenced with Shooting Stars as Program Coordinator. As a program and as staff we always strive to empower our girls to make positive choices. Seeing Aaliyah complete year 12 and graduate and then take on this opportunity to commence her working career is a very significant moment. She emulates the program’s vision of Empowered Aboriginal Girls and Women to a tee. I am very excited to see Aaliyah further grow and take on new experiences with Shooting Stars as a Narrogin trainee.”
Aaliyah is the first Shooting Stars participant to go through the program and then find employment within the program itself, however she won’t be the last as we continue to empower our girls throughout their education and employment journey's.
