The GABA Charitable Trust announced the two beneficiaries of this year's $3,000 Tertiary Scholarship fund at last night's Gay Auckland Business Association meeting.
Dennis Napara from Mangere has been awarded $2,000 towards his fees as he enrolls for a Law Degree which he will take at either AUT or The University of Auckland. He's already been accepted into the Chapman Tripp Law Mentor Programme.
Napara was born in the Cook Islands and came to New Zealand when he was twelve. He has been Head Boy at Mangere College, achieving academic excellence along with achievements in sports as a coach and player, choral and dance performances, Cook Island cultural activities, student politics and community activities. Napara is also 'out and proud' in his community and respected by his teachers and fellow students.
"We were very impressed by his achievements in the face of considerable personal difficulties, his extensive involvement in the life of his school, the great leadership he has shown at school and his determination to succeed", said Geoffrey Marshall who led the Trust's interview panel.
PALMY GIRL GETS A GRAND
A secondary Scholarship was awarded to Samantha King from Palmerston North where she has been Head Girl, is an openly gay prefect and has a strong academic record.
"The Trust was very impressed by Samatha's achievements and potential and so has decided to fund a second scholarship this year and to give Samantha $1,000 from our reserves to help further her education", said Gresham Bradley, incoming Chair of the GABA Charitable Trust.
King is enrolling for a Bachelor of Applied Social Services and intends to do a double major in Social Work and Counselling at Tairawhiti Polytechnic in Napier. Her dream is to become a youth worker and help queer youth of New Zealand to be better able to deal with issues of family, gender identity and coming out.
The GABA Charitable Trust offers a scholarship for the first year of tertiary studies. The award is offered annually to a student who identifies as gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender, is seen as a good role model by peers and teachers, and who has excelled in effort and achievement in their secondary education. The Award is open to any LGBT student who is enrolling in a full time degree course, of at least three years duration, at any Tertiary level institution recognised as such by the NZQA.
