Queensland Firebird Gabi Simpson spoke to Courier Mail about graduating as valedictorian after 11 years at UQ’s School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences.
Simpson, who will be named valedictorian by UQ at Friday’s graduation, said she hadn’t planned to drag the degree out for more than a decade but juggling elite netball commitments had made it a longer than expected journey.
“There was a period where I was travelling a lot with the Australian team and trying to get the balance right, so I haven’t been able to study full time,” Simpson said.
“The hard part was finding the balance and then finding time to do my placements where I needed seven week blocks free – but we chipped away at it.”
Simpson’s dedication was part of the reason she was named valedictorian by UQ – an honour which left her shocked.
“To speak to all of these amazing students who have toughed out four-year degrees is a really big honour and definitely a surprise,” she said.
