Whanganui students obtain scholarships for UCOL study

A number of Whanganui students received scholarships to go towards study in UCOL programmes. Two local secondary school students were awarded Excellence scholarships worth $9,000 each to go towards study in a UCOL degree programme in 2017. They were:

• Hannah Neilson – Whanganui High School, for study in the Bachelor of Nursing, and

• Bradley Kirkland – Cullinane College, for study in the Bachelor of Information and Communications Technology 

Four other local secondary school students took home $2,000 Meritorious scholarships for study in UCOL Level 3+ programmes. They were:

• Whanganui High School - Tom Clark

• Cullinane College - Ainslee Pikimaui

• Whanganui City College - Roland Mead and Berllena Herewini

At the event UCOL also awarded current students with awards to assist their future endeavours. There were two from Whanganui as follows:

• Maehe Thompson received a Paul McElroy Trades Scholarship to assist in his study for the Diploma in Furniture Design and Making in Palmerston North. Maehe is passionate about the art and design industry, travelling from Whanganui to study Furniture Design and Making, and embracing his passion of fusing furniture and tradition Māori art practices.

• Alexandra Kumeroa received a Ralph Flavell scholarship. She is studying for the Bachelor of Nursing in Whanganui. Alexandra moved from Australia to study in her hometown and is showing resilience and persistence to succeed in her studies, with an aim to work in a hospital and help others.

UCOL Chief Executive Leeza Boyce said at the event, “as well as awarding scholarships based on academic prowess, we look at students’ achievements outside the classroom and how they have tackled the obstacles that life has thrown at them.”

River City Press 22/12/16