Alcoa scholarships set up American treks for Kwinana teens

Michaela (18) and Julian Cox (16), whose parents both work at the Alcoa Kwinana Refinery, each received one of 54 NatureBridge scholarships awarded globally by the Alcoa Foundation.

The NatureBridge program is designed to empower students aged 16 to 18 to see how their actions impact their community and the world around them through service learning projects.

Among other things, the students hiked through dramatic landscapes, slept under the stars, bathed in icy lakes and even encountered bears.

Michaela travelled to Olympic National Park in the state of Washington.

Meanwhile, Julian hiked through the stunning Yosemite National Park in California.

“I learnt a lot about nature and the wilderness,” Michaela said.

It was an experience I will never forget.”