Harleigh mission to create edible art

While many young artists dream of gallery walls, Cape York Leaders Program Year 8 student Harleigh Mosby envisions a patisserie window filled with cakes that resemble art. She aims to combine her artistic talents and love for baking, and with the support of CYLP, her dream is within reach. 

“I really want to be an artist… but I’m also interested in baking. I think I can put them together,” she said. 

Raised in Hope Vale and now boarding at the prestigious Stuartholme School in Brisbane on a CYLP scholarship, she is learning to balance the discipline of school life with the freedom of artistic exploration. 

“We get to be independent – make our beds, keep our rooms tidy, make sure we get to eat,” she said. The skills and habits she picked up at boarding school have even been incorporated into her home life at Hope Vale. “I’ve even started bossing Dad around in the kitchen when I’m home,” she said. 

Harleigh’s love of art shows through in her vibrant and expressive nature, at school and during CYLP’s term events and at the annual camp. Family was the bridge into CYLP for Harleigh; with family already engaged with the program, it made it an easy decision and transition from the community. 

“I had cousins on the scholarship,” Harleigh said. The formal support from CYLP Student Support Officers to organise uniforms, education supplies, wellbeing support and leadership guidance has been crucial. Having CYLP’s comprehensive support allowed Harleigh to focus on creating new relationship and her friends have made boarding feel like home. “At the first camp we all just clicked,” she says. “Once you have friends, everything else feels easier.” 

For a self-confessed “height-phobe”, Harleigh’s proudest camp moment came when she strapped into a harness and stared down the giant swing at the 2025 CYLP camp hosted at Tallebudgera. “I wanted to overcome my fear,” she said. “I screamed the whole way, but when it ended, I wanted to do it again.” That willingness to lean into discomfort and seize opportunities are qualities that CYLP looks for in their scholars.

With every brushstroke she paints and every batch of cupcakes she decorates, Harleigh Mosby is proving that artistic vision can be both seen and tasted and that the sweetest futures often start with a bold mix of ideas.