Fifty students from five secondary schools were presented scholarships at an official awards function held in Cromwell on 24 October. The scholarships, valued at $2,500 each, aim to assist students in further education beyond secondary school.
Central Lakes Trust (CLT) awarded eleven vocational scholarships, 30 tertiary scholarships, and nine Pioneer Energy science and technology scholarships.
"We're delighted to support our region’s young people in pursuing further education,” says Linda Robertson, CLT Chair. “Over the past 17 years, we've provided 684 rangatahi with tertiary scholarships to the total value of $1,676,500,"
Students from the five high schools in the CLT region could apply through their school. The selection process took into account factors such as the applicant’s academic record, overall qualities and achievements.
“Success doesn’t come from academic results only. By looking at the students’ overall achievements we can award students who display excellence in all areas of life,” Ms Robertson says. “Each of the 50 recipients are highly deserving of these scholarships, and we wish them all the best for their future.”
In addition to the 50 scholarships awarded by CLT, local engineering firm Meyer Cruden also awarded two scholarships to Angus Drinnan and Leo Wiltshire from Cromwell College for further studies in engineering.
“We have been awarding these scholarships since 2015,” says Carl Meyer, director of Meyer Cruden. “We feel very privileged that we are able to invest in our young people.”
William Pike was the guest speaker at the function. After nearly losing his life in a volcanic eruption on Mt. Ruapehu, William’s passion for the outdoors, education, and seeing life’s challenges as opportunities has made him an inspiration to all he meets.
“William didn’t tell us his stories, he relived them,” says Ms Robertson. “His presentation was filled with relatable messages that challenged the audience to step outside our comfort zones to achieve the extraordinary. We hope that our scholars take this mindset with them as they embark on the next chapter in their lives.”
The successful recipients in order by school, are:
CROMWELL COLLEGE

Connor Boslem Vocational Scholarship
Angus Drinnan Tertiary Scholarship
Kaia Hutchinson PEL Science & Technology Scholarship
Grace Naylor General Tertiary Scholarship
Leo Wiltshire Academic Tertiary Scholarship
DUNSTAN HIGH SCHOOL

Emily Attfield Academic Tertiary Scholarship
Kohan Carden General Tertiary Scholarship
Jake Chambers Vocational Scholarship
Sofia Druce Academic Tertiary Scholarship
Claudia Hammond General Tertiary Scholarship
Brooklyn Harrington PEL Science & Technology Scholarship
Raff Love Vocational Scholarship
Molly Mason-Galletly General Tertiary Scholarship
Isla Redgrave Academic Tertiary Scholarship
Emily Templeton General Tertiary Scholarship
Ashlea West PEL Science & Technology Scholarship
MT ASPIRING COLLEGE

Lily Ashe Academic Tertiary Scholarship
Thomas Benson General Tertiary Scholarship
Melia Brett Academic Tertiary Scholarship
Jeremy Curtis Vocational Scholarship
Tayla Doran General Tertiary Scholarship
Jackson Duguid Academic Tertiary Scholarship
Bradley Gendall PEL Science & Technology Scholarship
Milly Lewis Vocational Scholarship
Hazel Murray General Tertiary Scholarship
Kalan Nichol Vocational Scholarship
Samuel Parry PEL Science & Technology Scholarship
Isabella Soper General Tertiary Scholarship
Jessie Winter Academic Tertiary Scholarship
ROXBURGH AREA SCHOOL

Luke McKerchar PEL Science & Technology Scholarship
WAKATIPU HIGH SCHOOL

Evie Barlow Vocational Scholarship
Azaria Briscoe PEL Science & Technology Scholarship
Billie Carey General Tertiary Scholarship
Elise Edmonds Academic Tertiary Scholarship
Sammy Fookes PEL Science & Technology Scholarship
Emily Gilbert Vocational Scholarship
Maisie Grufferty General Tertiary Scholarship
Greta Jones Vocational Scholarship
Olivia Key Academic Tertiary Scholarship
Marley King Smith General Tertiary Scholarship
Zara Mackley General Tertiary Scholarship
Madi McLean General Tertiary Scholarship
Paige Morrison Academic Tertiary Scholarship
Charlotte Muir Vocational Scholarship
Ayla Nakayama General Tertiary Scholarship
Ruby Rose Academic Tertiary Scholarship
Lucy Sinclair General Tertiary Scholarship
Jack Speedy General Tertiary Scholarship
Rochelle Tickle Vocational Scholarship
Mia Tucker PEL Science & Technology Scholarship
Photos by Clare Toia-Bailey, image-central