Jayden Simms takes part in the Australian Indigenous Mentoring Experience (AIME) program through St John the Evangelist Catholic High School.

As part of the program students spend time drawing, and talented students’ work is entered into the running for an art internship.

As part of the internship selected artworks are made available to AIME’s major corporate supporters.

Jayden’s artwork caught the judges’ eyes and he was recently awarded a $600 prize and the art internship.

“I was shocked when I found out. I couldn’t stop smiling. I’m still smiling,” Jayden said.

He has been commissioned to produce more art which will appear on AIME clothing and communication material.

“I’ve been drawing since I was a small child. I love it. Drawing gives me a sense of comfort.

“To win this prize was great and it has made me really think there could be a future for me in art.

“Being mentored by AIME has helped me a lot. They teach us to engage our brains and to consider entering university after high school,” he said.

The school faculty is proud of Mr Simms’ achievements. St John’s Aboriginal education co-ordinator Christine Finney said she was impressed with how far he had come in the past few years.

“I am very proud of him,” she said.

“He has been involved in so many things at school, he’s become a real part of the school community.”