Too close to call with financial grant
A $20,000 Mayoral Scholarship has been split between two secondary school for the first time in its eight year history.
Forest View High School student, Cameron Pearce, and Tokoroa High School’s, Chloe Herman, enter Waikato University next year with the help of $10,000 each.
Mayor Neil Sinclair said there could not be one winner this year.
"We couldn’t see any other way around it, this year was tougher than any we’ve had before. The applicants were all outstanding and I would have been proud to award this to anyone of them."
Herman, 17, planned to study a conjoint of Bachelor of Management Studies and Law.
Pearce, 18, will take on a Bachelor of Arts and Science.
The ambitious pair will take on up to six years of study each.
"I’m happy to be receiving the Mayoral Scholarship, even if it is only half," Herman said
Although she has yet to decide on a specialised area of law, her ambitions extended to her own law firm in Tokoroa.
‘‘ I want to eventually go nationally and then internationally.’’
Pearce said he is yet to decide on his career path as he finds interest in so many subjects.
‘‘Subjects are like family, I love them all but sometimes they grind my gears.’’
His plan is to return for a job at Carter Holt Harvey, as he has had work experience there.
This year Council received 15 applications from South Waikato students.
Mayor Neil Sinclair, deputy mayor Jenny Shattock, human resources manager Murray McAlister and Gateway coordinator for the South Waikato secondary school cluster, Cath O’Connell, interviewed six shortlisted candidates.
They came from Tokoroa High School, Matamata College, Putaruru College and Forest View High School.
Eight students have now received this scholarship from the council.
"This initiative aligns strongly with the council’s commitment to supporting local youth in furthering their education," Sinclair said.