Scholarships were given to 50 students from five secondary schools during a ceremony in Cromwell earlier this week.

The scholarships, which were made up of $2500 each, were presented during an official awards ceremony on October 24 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.

CLT chair Linda Robertson said the trust was delighted to support the region’s young people in pursuing further education.

“Over the past 17 years, we’ve provided 684 rangatahi with tertiary scholarships to the total value of $1,676,500.”

Dunstan High School students receive their scholarships during a ceremony this week. PHOTO: Image Central/Clare Toia-Bailey

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,” Linda said. 

“Each of the 50 recipients are highly deserving of these scholarships and we wish them all the best for their future studies.”

In addition to the 50 scholarships awarded by CLT, local engineering firm Meyer Cruden also awarded two scholarships to Cromwell College’s Angus Drinnan and Leo Wiltshire for further studies in engineering.

Roxburgh Area School student Luke McKerchar (centre) receives his scholarship for science and technology. PHOTO: Image Central/Clare Toia-Bailey

Meyer Cruden director Carl Meyer said he felt privileged to be able to invest in young people via the scholarships, which had been awarded since 2015.

Guest speaker William Pike talked about nearly losing his life in a volcanic eruption on Mt. Ruapehu, and his passion for the outdoors, education, and his perspective of viewing life’s challenges as opportunities.

Linda said William’s messages challenged the audience to step outside their comfort zones to achieve the extraordinary. 

The successful Central Otago recipients and scholarship type are listed below.

Cromwell College: Connor Boslem (Vocational), Angus Drinnan (Tertiary), Kaia Hutchinson (Science and Technology), Grace Naylor (General Tertiary) and Leo Wiltshire (Academic Tertiary).

Dunstan High School: Emily Attfield (Academic Tertiary), Kohan Carden (General Tertiary), Jake Chambers (Vocational), Sofia Druce (Academic Tertiary), Claudia Hammond (General Tertiary), Brooklyn Harrington (Science and Technology), Raff Love (Vocational) Molly Mason-Galletly (General Tertiary), Isla Redgrave (Academic Tertiary), Emily Templeton (General Tertiary) and Ashlea West (Science and Technology).

Roxburgh Area School: Luke McKerchar (Science and Technology).