Nominees vie for Wackrow Youth Award
Four nominees for this year’s Wackrow Memorial Award will attend the Award Ceremony at The Hub Allardice Street on Tuesday August 28 at 7pm.
The award, in memory of Constable Graeme Wackrow who was killed in a car accident, recognises the contributions of young people to the local community, with prizes of $500, $300 and $200.
The four nominees are Joel (Dean) Charlton, Nikayla Deacon, Victoria Evans and Amokura Paewai.
Joel (Dean) Charlton is Head Boy at To¯ tara College, spearheading the raising of funds for its 40 Hour Famine.
He participated in and has become a GI (instructor) in the Cactus programme for three years.
He coaches a girls’ and a junior football team and plays the game at a senior level.
He also participates in Dannevirke Theatre Company productions and has used his oratory skills to speak at RSA and Anzac functions.
Nikayla Deacon helps in Norsewood’s Information Centre each Saturday and participates in its annual Norway Day Celebrations.
As a senior at Dannevirke High School she is a member of SADD, the student council and is the Student Representative on the Board of Trustees.
Victoria Evans is the student in charge of the Dannevirke High School Interact Club, which
raised funds for Tongan cyclone relief.
She is promoting its Random Acts of Kindness programme and is working towards her Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award and is involved in helping the elderly at Rahiri Age Care.
Omokura Paewai is considered a leader at his school Te Kura Kaupapa Ma¯ ori o¯ Tamaki Nui A Rua as a role model and gaining its Best Allrounder Award. He is involved at Makirikiri Marae helping whenever needed, has attended a three-week Outward Bound course. He also gained headlines in national newspapers for picking up rubbish to and from school each day.
This is the 31st presentation of the award. Boronia Lilo was the winner in 2017.