NAIDOC Youth of Year 2022- Armani Francois!

Armani Francois (Year 11) was named the 2022 NAIDOC Youth of the Year for Mparntwe (Alice Springs) on July 8 during the NAIDOC Week Community Day at the Alice Springs Town Council Lawns. 

Armani was nominated for the award for her achievements in and outside of school. As an incredible sportswoman she is currently in the NT Thunder AFL Academy and the captain on the Bentley Bombers. Her accomplishments on the field have led her to be listed with the SANFL Panthers indicating her potential as a future AFLW prospect. Her achievements on the sporting field demonstrate a determination to strive for her personal best which serves as an example to those around her. 

She is also a talented artist. Last year, Armani performed a play reimagined from an assignment she wrote for school at the Darwin Festival and at the NT Writer’s Festival. The play Cuttings explores what happens when relationships fracture and the impact of everyday trauma from an Indigenous perspective. 

At school Armani is a leader and voice for other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students at St Philip's. She has been an integral part of St Philip's NAIDOC and Reconciliation Week celebrations helping to organise events such as the Reconciliation Booth and a Sausage Sizzle to raise money for Indigenous organisations in town. Her involvement in these activities inspires other students to become involved. 

During her acceptance speech, Armani invited everyone to continue learning from and working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to work towards reconciliation. It’s a mission that she will continue to carry on during her remaining time at St Philip's College and beyond.