New Award to Recognise Rotorua’s Young Volunteers

6 August 2012

New Award to Recognise Rotorua’s Young Volunteers

A new initiative is being launched in the Rotorua region to recognise the contribution made to the community by young volunteers.

The TrustPower Youth Community Spirit Award aims to recognise secondary school students’ service to the school and the community.

Nominations are now being accepted for the TrustPower Youth Community Spirit Award, which is open to all year 13 students in the district.

Each secondary school in the district is being asked to recommend one year 13 student for the Award, with students, teachers and school staff eligible to nominate a student for recommendation. The recommended students will then be judged by a judging panel consisting of Todd Mclay MP for Rotorua, the community and TrustPower. That panel will then decide on the Award recipient.

The following schools are taking part in the Award: Reporoa College, Western Heights High School, Rotorua Girls’ High School, Rotorua Boys’ High School, John Paul College, Rotorua Lakes High School, Te Kura o Koutu and Te Kura o Ruamata.

To be considered for the TrustPower Youth Community Spirit Award students must have contributed widely as a student to their college/school; developed good relationships, treating others with respect and care; given service to school or community projects; and been a good ambassador for the college/school and the region.

The winner of the Award will receive a framed certificate and $500 prize money, with $250 going to the student personally and $250 being given to a community group or organisation of the student’s choice.

TrustPower Community Relations Representative Teresa Partridge says this new Award was developed to acknowledge the enormous role young people play in developing a spirit of compassion and selflessness in the community.

“Many young people are committed volunteers – be it within their sports clubs, music groups or community projects. The work these young people do positively enriches their community and this Award aims to recognise and celebrate that,” says Mrs Partridge.

Ali McHugh, Deputy Principal at John Paul College commended TrustPower for establishing the youth award.

"We are excited to have this award launched in the Rotorua region to recognise young people in this light. It is great to highlight these young people who often work behind the scenes, generously giving of their time and often fall under the radar for Awards," says Ali McHugh.

The winner of the TrustPower Youth Community Spirit Award will be named in early September with the Award presented at a function at the Blue Baths.

ENDS

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