A group of Rotorua’s top school-leavers have been presented tertiary study awards from the Rotorua Energy Charitable Trust for their academic excellence and involvement within the community.
Twenty school leavers, commencing tertiary study in 2017, have each received funding of $2,000 a year, for the duration of a three or four-year degree. The awards were presented at a function at the Novotel last night <<7 February>>.
Trust chairman, Stewart Edward, says five of the awards were based on academic achievement at NCEA levels 12 and 13, while 15 recognised leadership skills and involvement in school, cultural and wider community activities.
Ex-John Paul College student, Te Rina West, is one of the award recipients this year.
Miss West will be attending the University of Auckland, completing a conjoint degree encompassing of a Bachelor of Commerce and a Bachelor of Arts.
“Receiving an award that comes from home means a lot,” says Miss West.
“Personally, the award isn’t only about the funding – although that’s a bonus – but knowing I’ve played an active part in my community; it’s been amazing to give back to a community that has given me so much.”
Mr Edward says students receiving the awards have contributed hundreds of hours over the last year to making Rotorua a better place to live, including Miss West, who has passionately volunteered for KidsCan, Women’s Refuge, the Sunset Breakfast Club and is an active voice on the Rotorua Lakes Youth Council committee and Rotorua Youth Voice, led by councillor Tania Tapsell.
“Recipients are heading to practically every tertiary institution in the country, including our own Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology.
“For the past 20 years, the Trust has supported a diverse range of organisations and is the most significant provider of student awards and support in the region.
“The Trust isn’t just focused on today, but on developing a better future for our people, our children and our children’s children for many decades to come.”
The Trust’s direct investment in education this year will be over $760,000.
Tertiary study awards were first presented by the Trust in 1996. To date, over 900 local students have been presented awards, many of whom have returned to live and work in Rotorua.
The Rotorua Energy Charitable Trust is a community-focused not-for-profit organisation that exists to contribute towards a more vibrant Rotorua Community where people are proud to live, work, invest, bring up and educate their families.