Pacific Coast Scholarships – students set to shine

Each year 25 Bay of Plenty school leavers are given a helping hand to achieve great things as they embark on full-time tertiary study at Bay of Plenty Polytechnic.
The Polytechnic’s Pacific Coast Scholarships cover students first year’s fees for any diploma level programme, many of which pathway through to degrees which can be completed in full in Tauranga.
The combined value of scholarships allocated each year totals approximately $150,000.
Kuku Wawatai, Director Education and Māori Development at the Polytechnic, says the scholarships are imperative. “We see this as an integral investment in the future of our Rangitahi. If we can assist our local talent to complete a quality diploma or degree without the need to leave the region, we are essentially investing in our region’s well-being by embracing our future leaders.”
Applications for the popular scholarships were received from all the local high schools, as well as from the wider Bay of Plenty Polytechnic catchment area, ranging from Opotiki to the top of the Coromandel as well as the fringes of the Waikato.
This year the Polytechnic had some outstanding candidates to choose from; all excelled academically while many also excelled in the sporting arena, artistic and leadership fields. A number of student leaders applied from colleges such as Edgecumbe, Kawerau, Matamata and Whakatane, but many good all round students received scholarships based on their contribution to their school or community - putting the scholarship within the reach of many quiet achievers whose efforts would otherwise not be recognised.
Scholarships are awarded based on academic achievement and a combination of sporting prowess, artistic ability, contribution to school and community life and leadership potential.
Recipients for 2012 are:
Thorne van Kol Diploma in Environmental Management Aquinas College
Daniel van de Water NZ Diploma in Engineering (Mechanical) Bethlehem College

Lauren Madsen, Diploma in Tourism, Bethlehem College
Cameron Lambert, Diploma in Marine Studies, Edgecumbe College
Aimee Dobson, Diploma in Sport & Recreation, Edgecumbe College
Georgia Baker, Diploma in Design (Graphic), Katikati College
Larraine Te Kakoura, Diploma in Sport & Recreation, Kawerau College
Nina Reichardt, Diploma in Tourism, Matamata College
Michelle Montague, Diploma in Tourism, Matamata College
Jarrod Clarke, Diploma in Sport & Recreation, Morrinsville College
Amanda Moss, NZ Diploma in Business, Mount Maunganui College
Candice Haarhoff, National Diploma in Architectural Technology, Mount Maunganui College
Hayley Butler, NZ Diploma in Business, Mount Maunganui College
Kerry Green, Diploma in Sport & Recreation, Opotiki College
Kimberley Pilbrow, Diploma in Sport & Recreation, Otumoetai College
Keri-Anne Teaz, Diploma in Design (Graphic), Otumoetai College
Ruby Clarke, Diploma in Tourism, School for Young Parents
Jourdain Sanson, Diploma in Design (Fashion), Tauranga Girls College
Toni O'Connor, NZ Diploma in Business, Tauranga Girls College
Candice Pitt, Diploma in Tourism, Tauranga Girls College
Jed Newitt, Diploma in Marine Studies, Te Puke High School
Tamati Thomas, Diploma in Tourism, Te Puke High School
Samantha Sanderson, Diploma in Sport & Recreation, Waihi College
Alexandra Wood, Diploma of Sport & Recreation, Whakatane High School
Kelsey Waghorn, Diploma in Marine Studies, Whakatane High School