Fletcher Challenge Trust award presented to outstanding hospitality student

Blu Marqueses walked away from his graduation ceremony at Tai Poutini Polytechnic last night with more than a Certificate in Hospitality and Tourism.

The 20 year-old student is this year’s recipient of The Fletcher Challenge Trust Award, which can be used to defray expenses incurred next year when he returns to Tai Poutini for the Hospitality Supervision programme.

Roderick Turner, Tai Poutini’s Head of Department - Service Industries, says Marqueses exemplifies everything he expects from a hospitality student.

“Not only has Blu achieved competency in the unit standards he has been assessed on, he has demonstrated that elusive hospitable ‘attitude’ so necessary for the industry.”

In the Southern Lights Hospitality competitions held in Invercargill this year, Marqueses contributed to the Polytechnic’s overall 23 medal tally, including winning first place in the Table Service event.

“Competitions require extra work and commitment outside of the usual learning environment merely to reach the standard to compete,” says Turner, “and achieving first place requires persistent dedication.”

Turner says Marqueses has also willingly taken a leadership role amongst his peers, taking this responsibility further by being voted the Student Association President for 2010. He is also the Hospitality student representative on the Culinary Arts and Hospitality Programme Advisory Committee.

“I congratulate Blu and look forward to his continued dedication to the Polytechnic and the hospitality industry.”

ENDS

For further information please contact:

Roderick Turner Phone: 03 769 9480
Head of Department Mobile: 027 206 0554
Service Industries Email: RoderickT@tpp.ac.nz
www.tppweb.co.nz

About Tai Poutini Polytechnic:
Tai Poutini Polytechnic (TPP) offers a range of exciting programmes, has had one of the highest course completion rates in New Zealand for the last 3 years, has low student to tutor ratios and great relationships with business and industry. TPP has campuses in Auckland, Hamilton, Palmerston North, Christchurch, Wanaka, Invercargill, Westport, Greymouth, Reefton and Hokitika. In 2010 Scholarships are available for most programmes* (* Conditions apply)