2016 Mayoral-Scholarship-awarded
South Waikato District Council has awarded the Mayoral Scholarship (valued at up to $20,000 over four years) to Forest View High School student Ella Livingston. Miss Livingston is in her final year at school and plans to study Nursing at Massey University in Palmerston North.
The Mayoral Scholarship is presented each year. This year Council received 18 applications from South Waikato students. A committee of Her Worship the Mayor Jenny Shattock, Deputy Mayor Jeff Gash, Human Resources Manager Christine Beach and Gateway Coordinator Dianne Collins interviewed six short-listed candidates.
"All of the applicants were exceptional young people," said Mayor Shattock. "It wasn't easy to whittle the eighteen down to six to interview. What a fantastic bunch of confident, intelligent and focused young people we have in our district and I was blown away with their talents and achievements."
"The criteria of the scholarship is broad. It includes the type of degree candidates were planning to study, the likelihood of them using their qualification back in the district, their academic achievement and community involvement and how they handled the interview process. Ella is a remarkable young woman and will do the South Waikato proud!"
"I have always aspired to be a nurse since I was young and to have the opportunity to come back to the South Waikato and begin giving back to a small community which gave me so much growing up," said Miss Livingston. "I enjoy working with people. I am caring, kind and willing to help others which I believe will all help me become a great nurse."
Miss Livingston was born in Hamilton, moved to Tokoroa with her family when she was very young and was raised and schooled here. She has a keen interest in sport, having been actively involved in a host of sports during her time at school, including netball, rugby, touch, ki o rahi, volleyball and hockey. On the academic front Miss Livingston particularly enjoyed geography and (somewhat obviously) physical education this past year.
"All of the young people we interviewed were confident and very capable and will surely excel," said Mayor Shattock. "Council is proud to support the youth in our district to realise their academic dreams."
Applicants identified a wide range of fields of study including medicine, engineering, science, teaching, commerce, management studies, arts and social science. Ends Words: 286
Background:
The Mayoral Scholarship is available to all South Waikato residents aged 21 years or under and are planning to study towards a degree in 2017.
Council is now into its tenth year of awarding the Mayoral Scholarship, which is valued at a maximum of $20,000 ($5,000 per year for up to four years).
Last year the Scholarship was awarded to Sophie Goodhue.
Council believes that we are the only Local Government body to offer a scholarship of this sort to aspiring local students. This initiative aligns strongly with Council's commitment to supporting local youth in furthering their education.
The Mayoral Scholarship Fund is one way Council can assist in youth development and education by supporting our youth through their studies. When students are finished their chosen studies job opportunities may be available in the South Waikato; and they can start their careers here, giving back to the community they grew up in.
