Lewis McFarlane
Tell us a little about your journey and how you became involved with The Pinnacle Foundation.
I am trans man studying my honours in chemistry at the University of Adelaide.
I learnt about The Pinnacle Foundation during my first year of university in 2017. My psychologist at the time was on the mentoring list and he encouraged me to apply. I applied for the 2018 scholarship and was unsuccessful but re-applied the following year and was lucky enough to be chosen as a scholar.
What have you gained from being part of the Pinnacle program so far?
The biggest thing I have gained from the program is the connection to the South Australian branch of Pinnacle. The committee and my fellow scholars are amazing people and are all incredibly supportive. We have been able to start building a little community here in Adelaide and it has been an honour to be a part of that process.
What has your experience with your mentor been like?
My mentor is wonderful. He has been an excellent sounding board for me, especially regarding my aspirations to undergo a PhD. Being able to talk to a fellow trans man in academia has really helped me to picture where I could be in the future.
What advice would you give to a young person who is thinking about applying for The Pinnacle Foundation Scholarship Program?
Just go for it! The worst that can happen is that you don’t get it, the best that can happen is that you linked in with a wonderful supportive community who will do everything they can to support you. If you miss out one year, try again! You never know, you might be successful next time around.
Article posted in the Star Observer (August 17, 2020)
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