Teneisha has a great respect for people who have been sent to war and she will always remember their sacrifice.

Her maturity and leadership on this topic won her a Premier’s Anzac Memorial Scholarship to the Western Front.

Teneisha is one of 20 students from across NSW who will travel to Flanders in Belgium to commemorate the Battle of Hamel on July 4 2018.

She had to earn the scholarship and her hauntingly beautiful artwork and poem impressed the selection panel.

“I thought that everyone talks about what it’s like at war with all the facts and everything,” she said.

“However, it’s important to consider what happens after the war has finished and the pain they still go through once they are actually at home with their families.

“They are still reliving the war every single day.”

She has learnt about things like post-traumatic stress disorder.

Her pencil drawing gives a person a sense of what a returned service person remembers every day and the welling tear is just one of the work’s remarkable pieces.

“It took me a few tries to get it right,” she said.

Four attempts latter and Teneisha was happy with the drawing.

She also wrote a beautiful and meaningful poem.

“I like working with words and they just came to my mind and they complement the drawing,” she said.

Teneisha loves history and will be studying the subject as an elective in years 11/12.

The 16-year-old year 10 student is looking forward to the trip.

“I was shocked and surprised when I found out I got the scholarship and I did not think I would get it to be honest,” she said.

“I was really happy and it’s a great opportunity and I am really excited.

“My mum Amy was shocked and she cried for me.”

Teneisha has never been overseas before and no doubt has started to pack her bags

Vincentia High teacher Maryann Meehan, who represented the Nowra RSL Sub Branch on the selection board, has been to the Western Front and said Teneisha was in for an incredible experience.

Mrs Meehan said at the Western Front a sense of sadness washed over you.

“It really is an emotional time,” she said.

Mrs Meehan said it was important young people knew about what had happened in the past and visit such places – if they can.

“To actually be there is an all encompassing learning experience for them and makes it more relevant,” Mrs Meehan said.

“Teneisha will learn so much more than you would learn in a classroom by walking in the footsteps of the soldiers.”

Teneisha wants to join the navy when she finishes school.

The school’s Defence Transition Mentor Jacqueline Copeland said she was happy,  proud and impressed by Taneish.

“She is a very enthusiastic student and quite mature,” she said.

Teneisha is also required to research a veteran and hopes to find out more about a local person.

There’s no escape.

There’s no escape from the constant ringing of the enemies firing bullets.

There’s no escape from the terrified screams of those suffering from the wounds that end their lives.

There’s no escape from the lost children’s cry for help

There’s no escape from the blasting colour of red.

There’s no escape from the torment of war.

By Teneisha Ross.