By Brendan Rees
Hampton Park’s Christopher Klepacz is proving there’s no boundary to achieving success.
The 18 year-old was named a finalist for the Kangan Institute Inspirational TAFE Student Award, one of ten categories in the Victorian Young Achiever Awards.
He was also a semi-finalist for the Saward Dawson Community Service and Social Impact Award.
Born with Cerebral Palsy, Mr Klepacz has overcome significant challenges to achieve strong IT capabilities and qualifications.
Christopher earned his Certificate II in Information Digital Media and Technology in 2017.
He said growing up with Cerebral Palsy had been challenging by ways of physical limitations.
But he says this has not stopped him from pushing himself harder to achieve similar goals as his peers.
“I have learned how to advocate for myself and what I would like to do with my education and the opportunities I encounter.”
He is currently working towards his Certificate III in Information, Digital Media and Technology while also completing his Year 12 education.
During his schooling years at Hampton Park Secondary College Mr Klepacz Christopher has needed to use modified equipment to work independently, and offers proactive IT support to fellow students and teachers.
“For me to be able to achieve this, I have needed to overcome barriers and difficulties such as high anxiety and utilising strategies to support myself, managing fatigue levels by ensuring I have enough energy to attend college and TAFE,” he said.
The Awards aim to encourage, reward and most importantly promote the positive achievements of young Victorians up to and including 29 years of age.
Finalists will be presented and winners announced at an Awards Gala Presentation Dinner at Flemington – The Event Centre on Friday 18 May.
Category winners will each receive a $1,000 Bartercard Account, $1,000 cash and a trophy.
One of the ten category winners will be chosen as the Victorian Young Achiever of the Year and receive a $2,000 flight voucher from Jetstar and a state trophy.
