Each winning student receives personalised mentoring and education services up to the value of $20,000 to help them apply for and get accepted into their ideal university.
Among the mentors are former Prime Minister Sir John Key, who is also a shareholder with Crimson.
Ella said her father found out about the scholarship while surfing the internet.
“He came across it one day and we decided to go for it and see what happens because there's no harm in trying.
“My parents (teachers Hamish and Sophia) are very, very supportive of my schooling and my sports . . . everything I do.
“They get me to try new things and take me to all my competitions. They'll also help me out with homework whenever I need it.”
Ella studied at Campion College before moving to Crimson Global Academy — a fully registered online high school.
A major aim of the virtual school is to increase its students' chances of gaining entry into a top international university.
Ella leads a busy life. As well as her studies she is a junior lifeguard with Wainui Surf Life Saving Club, coaches a junior netball team, works as a peer support tutor for younger students and is involved in a handful of other extracurricular activities and volunteer projects.
All of this while completing her Year 12 studies a year early.
“I get overwhelmed sometimes but that's just part of it. I guess I've just always been busy. I've always been doing something.
“I've gotten used to always having something to do, so it's not as stressful as you would think it would be.”
Ella has not decided what she will do after high school which is why she is taking a wide range of subjects.
She is contemplating spending a gap year on the Gold Coast doing surf lifesaving but nothing is set in stone.
“I'm so grateful to be awarded this scholarship and I want to make my parents and the rest of my family really proud of me.”
