Liam Young – Countdown Scholarship. Bachelor of Computer Sciences – University of Otago

Liam identifies as a queer transgender student from Wellington East Girls College & uses he/him pronouns. Liam has a passion for science & will be studying computer sciences at Otago University, while working as a Peer Support Worker at Rainbow Youth.

Liam already has a big profile in the LGBTQI+ community including the leader of the school QSA “Recognition” where he had a strong education focus for both students & faculty. Liam also ran the school PRIDE week & organised multiple events incl inter-school rainbow picnic days, & was a Peer Support for younger pupils.

He also organised workshops for thousands of students in the region, and personally delivered workshops on gender & sexuality. Last year he helped interview potential deputy principals to help assess alignment with rainbow values for the school.

Liam also loves the arts, was a Music Prefect & school orchestra conductor. He plays flute, sax & guitar, sings in two choirs & is in a writers group. He also dances, draws, paints & does crochet, as well as having a passion for history & mythology.

Outside of school, Liam was very involved with InsideOUT, and last year participated in a workshop for school & community leaders organised by Wellington City Council to make Wellington more rainbow inclusive.

He also recently joined the Student Volunteer Army & has a Gold Service Award for volunteering. This includes hundreds of hours working at Women’s Refuge, Life Flight & The Free Store, a place for homeless people to receive food.

Liam has a HUGE future ahead of him & is on track to make the world a better place!