Emily Fuller says she was shocked to learn she had won an Aboriginal Education Achievement Award.
"There were so many people competing for it," Emily said of her Creative and Performing Arts category win.
The Year 11 student at Yass High has a keen interest in fine arts, textiles and designing; that is, fashion.
"I have learnt all I know about fashion designing from my mother, who has always inspired me to pursue my interest," she said.
"I have taken classes on textiles in school and have learnt about designing by researching and looking up information online."
While studying textiles at school, Emily visited the Whitehouse Institute of Design on an excursion.
"We had an opportunity to design an outfit there as part of a contest," she said.
"I ended up winning the contest and received a free, one-day workshop at the Whitehouse Institute of Design.
"The workshop was a great experience and I learnt so much more about fabrics, textures and designing."
Emily plans to pursue her love for fashion design in the future and wants to study at the Whitehouse Institute.
"Fashion design and styling interest me," she said.
"Dyeing and making the fabric is fun as well."
Emily is a member of the Binit Binit learning community mentoring group.
She travels to primary schools to teach weaving and other indigenous art practice.
"We help younger students learn about Aboriginal or traditional art," she said.
"The kids are enthusiastic to learn and that makes it a great experience."
She has also won awards for her art at the annual community event, the Yass Show.
Kate Vale, of the Learning and Support Faculty at Yass High, described Emily as creative.
Emily "does not limit herself to one medium," Ms Vale said.
"She has entered creative writing competitions and won a fashion scholarship to the Whitehouse Institute."
The Department of Education gave Emily the award as part of the 'Inspire, Succeed, Excel' Aboriginal Education Achievement program.
