Emma leading the Great Race | Warwick Education | Primary and Tertiary Education in Warwick

(Front) Warwick State High School Year 10 student Emma Washbourne is leading a field of 1584 in an Australasian-wide history, geography and social science competition. Her classmates (back, from left) Mirinda Betts, Rebecca Treasure, Ellen Donges, Caitlyn Jesperson and Zali Benson are also competing in The Great Race.

WARWICK State High School (WSHS) Year 10 student Emma Washbourne is the current champion of an Australasian-wide online geography, economics, political science and history competition.

The Great Race is a competition organised by The Giant Classroom and after 20 rounds, Emma is leading a field of 1584 students.

Six Year 10 students from WSHS are entered into the competition and of these, three are in the top 10.

Caitlyn Jesperson and Mirinda Betts are also in the top 10 and Rebecca Treasure made it into the Queensland top five.

Acting Studies of Society and Environment head of department Derek Cantle said the school had entered into the competition for several years, but had never before had an Australasian champion.

To win the competition, Emma just needs to win a live online grand final on December 9. During this grand final she will be grilled with intense questions on the Asian region.

“We’re excited to have the best in Australia here at Warwick,” Mr Cantle said.

“The commitment and perseverance shown by these students is inspirational. It’s a terrific way for students to excel at school.”

Emma, who wants to study to be a psychiatrist for the Defence Force after she graduates high school, said the competition had been a long, hard battle – especially so given there have been 20 rounds since the start of the school year, and each round is five weeks of competing.