Liz Okello

16 years old, attending Hillcrest International School, Nairobi, Kenya. Liz was awarded a Beacon Scholarship in May 2023.

Liz is a talented and academic Scholar. She has aimed high in all her subjects and worked hard attending extra lessons and after school sessions, studying past papers and using online resources. She performed exceptionally well in her mock IGCSE exams and is hopeful for a strong set of results from her final exams.

Liz enjoys playing in the school basketball team and is a regular member of the gym. She took part in Hillcrest's Young leaders and Entrepreneurship Conference and participated in the school STEM Fair, MSMUN and was in the winning interhouse debate team.

Growing her leadership skills, Liz is Junior STEM Club Executive as well as Junior Executive of the Interact Club. She is a peer counsellor and assisted in organising a Y9 and Y10 chat, took part in a mental awareness skit, made a speech about anti-bullying and, as school mentor, assisted Y10 mentees.

As part of a team, Liz participated in Hog Charge, a mountain bike competition raising money for Rhino Ark which helps to conserve Kenya's water towers. She has taught herself how to make reusable sanitary pads, took part in a tree planting initiative and improved school life by encouraging the sorting of waste and by creating posters to help improve restroom hygiene.

Beacon Workshop Participation

In Leadership Workshops Liz takes the lead and presents with enthusiasm. She confidently shares her thoughts and views in breakout rooms and in her first experience as group leader was resourceful, thoughtful and brought full energy to her team.

Liz's 2024 Summer Beacon Citizenship Project 'Achieving Dreams at Kings of Kibera' was about unleashing the potential of children through mentorship.