After a big year in 2024 for our Parkes Young Citizen of the Year Isabella Hughes shows no signs of slowing down in 2025.
In 2024 Isabella was a part of the Pulse Alive show in Sydney.
Pulse Alvie is a large-scale event held every March at Ken Rosewall Arena, Sydney Olympic Park.
The event provides high-quality opportunities in performing arts for students and teachers from NSW public schools.
Being part of the show for Isabella included rehearsals from 9am to 5pm from Sunday to Friday and performing shows on the Thursday and Friday nights which were 9am-to-10pm days.
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Following this Isabella took part in a week long Pulse Alive program in Moree where she had the opportunity to share her love of dance with kids who don't have the same opportunities to participate in dance and performing arts.
"It was a different experience to me because normally I'm the one that's being taught and not teaching," Isabella said.
"It was a good experience because it means that I get to broaden my knowledge and my skills which could eventually help me in the future."
Isabella's favourite part of this experience was seeing everyone come together at the end of the week and perform the final performance.
"It's a satisfying feeling."
Isabella was lucky enough to be selected to participate in the Pulse Alive show and tour again this year.
She will be part of the Pulse Alive show where she will perform on March 19 and 20 in Sydney.
Instead of touring Moree she will be taking the trip to Broken Hill to teach more kids some performing arts skills.
"I've never been anywhere close to Broken Hill before so I'm excited to go somewhere and work with some new kids and more people as part of the company."
Isabella said the tour is important because it teaches kids to give everything a go.
"It doesn't matter if it's not your background. Even the kids who didn't dance or they didn't sing, they just gave it a go and it turned out really good. A lot of them found hobbies out it too. Just take the opportunity."
This experience was one of the many reasons Isabella was nominated for 2025 Parkes Young Citizen of the Year.
Last year Isabella also took part in an eight month mentorship with Regional Futures for Theatre where she was mentored by actor Kate Smith.
Isabella, with Kate's guidance worked towards the final showcase where Isabella performed a dance and monologue.
Isabella also achieved her Duke of Edinburgh Silver Award.
"We went to Berry in April and we completed a practical camp where we had to hike 12km, kayak 14km and take part in a lot of team building activities."
In July Isabella returned to Berry and completed a 20km hike which Isabella said was very muddy, as well as a 15km kayak accompanied by more team building activities.
In October she took part in the final camp.
To add to all of her achievements for last year the Year 12 Parkes High School student was also elected as a prefect for the senior leadership team for 2025.
When Isabella arrived at Cooke Park for the Australia Day ceremony she was confused why everyone was congratulating her on her nomination as she had no idea she was nominated for 2025 Parkes Young Citizen of the Year.
"It's a very big honour, I was in shock because it was the last thing I was expecting," Isabella said.
This year Isabella hopes to continue stepping outside of her comfort zone.
"Last year was a big year, there are a lot of things happening this year too so I'm just excited," Isabella added.
