Students excel at YES awards
Five Matamata College students have proven they are business savvy.
Dallas Kete, and JA-OK company of Kaleb Reid, Olivia Carter, Jack Trower and Andy Schweizer received honours at the WaikatoKing Country Young Enterprise Scheme Annual Awards.
Dallas Kete developed the H20-Yes water testing unit, which earned her the EMA Waikato Science and Technology Award, while Student Survival NZ app creators Kaleb, Olivia, Jack and Andy, won the Sky City Community Trust Award for third place.
YES involves students setting up and running a real business, creating, promoting and selling a product or service, conducting market research, planning, budgeting, taking and managing risk and turning problems into challenges.
The national awards remained top secret until the event last Thursday.
YES Waikato-King Country coordinator Levinia Paku says the awards were a reflection of the high level of talented, businessminded students in the region.
‘‘These teams are not only thinking outside the square to develop unique products, they are working hard to fulfil the requirements of running a suc- cessful business,’’ she says.
Kete’s solar powered water testing unit enables people to test for bacteria. The small palm sized unit tests for total dissolved solids which will give the user an indication if the water contains bacteria, but not the specific strains.
One hour solar charge, provides 24 hours of power to the unit.
The idea for Kete’s solar pow- ered water tester came from personal experience with contracting water borne illness giardia from tap water in Hong Kong while on student exchange.
She was also inspired to create the unit after learning about the amount of people becoming ill in Havelock North after drinking water containing campylobacter.
JA-OK company created an app to support school leavers. It includes low-budget recipes, flatting guides, a budget, CV builder, study tips and links to universities.
Smart Waikato Trust chief executive Mary Jensen said she is thrilled with the calibre of entries this year.
‘‘All students can be extremely proud of what they have achieved. Young enterprise in our region is alive and kicking.’’