REDLANDS College graduates who participated in the Duke of Edinburgh Awards program while in high school were honoured at a ceremony last week.
The graduates, Taaran Ambachtsheer, Tayla Hodges, Amelia Khoo, Lucy Nahrung, Courtney Parker, Jordan Schneider, Katacia Southcombe and Tamekah Waller, received gold awards for completing the highest level of the program.
A further 10 graduates earned gold awards but could not attend the ceremony due to work and study commitments.
Redlands College have been offering the Duke of Edinburgh Awards program for well over two decades.
The school's former program director James McGregor also received a medal at the ceremony to commemorate ten years of service.
Redlands College outdoor education coordinator Rachel Tattersall, who took over from Mr McGregor as head of the program, said employers looked favourably upon award recipients.
"It shows that they (the participants) have done more than just their school subjects," she said.
"Because they've done these adventurous journeys and community service, they've learnt to work with other people and developed teamwork skills."
Ms Tattersall said the gold award helped one graduate secure a spot in the Australian Defence Force Academy.
"The student's application would've shown he had leadership abilities and the kind of qualities they are looking for in people who are going to become defence force officers."
Ms Tattersall said students were required to complete five criteria to achieve gold award status.
"They must do community service, develop a skill, improve in a sport and go on an adventurous journey," she said.
"The gold students also have to do a residential project which requires them to spend five days away from home with people they don't normally spend time with.
"There are three (award) levels: bronze, silver and gold. To complete the gold award they have to do the activities an hour a week for 12 months."
Ms Tattersall said students visited places like Fraser Island, Moreton Island and New Zealand to complete the adventure leg of the program.
Redlands College first produced a gold award recipient in 1994.
