New Zealand water polo star gets US break
A young Aucklander will be joining a top-ranked American university after securing a scholarship worth $300,000.
Antonia Young, 18, was one of 35 students from around the world awarded the Robertson Scholarship to study at Duke University in North Carolina in August.
The Robertson Scholarship is a merit-based scholarship at Duke University and the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill in the United States.
It invests in young leaders who strive to make transformational contributions to society.
The scholarship covers tuition, board and a living allowance for up to four years.
‘‘I am so excited,’’ Young said. ‘‘There’s so many networking opportunities through the scholarship and the resources of the university are first-class.
‘‘The opportunities that can come out of these places are unparalleled.’’
Young, a former head girl of St Cuthbert’s College, is also an international water polo star.
She’s represented New Zealand in world competitions and hopes to experience the sport in America.
‘‘US colleges have such a great water polo culture.
‘‘Studying in the States could give me the resources and connections I need to go after the goals I had set for myself and the dreams I wanted to turn into realities.’’
Young is currently studying commerce and government and international relations at Sydney University.
She begins at Duke at the end of August, after taking a few weeks off to train and spent time with her family in New Zealand.
She hopes to pursue studies in business and politics.
Young said her ambitious streak and hard work helped her through the years and she offered the same advice to young New Zealanders.
‘‘Make ambitious goals for yourself and work hard to achieve them.
‘‘You never know what can come out of them,’’ Young said.
‘‘There are many people in this world that have the same skills and capabilities as you so always put in 110 per cent effort into everything you do.’’
‘‘Make ambitious goals for yourself and work hard to achieve them because you never know what can come out of them. ’’