Outstanding Kiwis Recognised At 2013 Excellence Awards

Outstanding Kiwis Recognised At 2013 Excellence Awards

Nineteen extraordinary young people received prestigious awards at the 2013 Foundation for Youth Development (FYD) Excellence Awards at Government House in Auckland last night.

Award winners from all over New Zealand gathered in Auckland to attend the premier youth awards that are a highlight on the FYD calendar.

The FYD Excellence Awards, sponsored by DNZ Property Fund, acknowledge the accomplishments of these successful young people, many of whom have made massive changes to both their outlook and their lives says FYD CEO, Marion Short.

“We’re so proud of all our winners,” says Short. “Their progress and achievements are exceptional and great examples of the difference FYD’s programmes can make to the lives of our young people.

“We’re also so thrilled to acknowledge some of our Kiwi Can and Stars leaders along with our winning Kiwi Can school. All of these winners have made such extraordinary commitments to our programmes and are fantastic ambassadors for FYD,” says Short.

The FYD Excellence Awards were held at Government House in Auckland and opened by FYD Patron, His Excellency, Lieutenant General The Right Hon Sir Jerry Mateparae, Governor-General of New Zealand. Special guests included Minister for Courts, Associate Minister of Justice and Associate Minister for Social Development, Hon Chester Borrows, Labour Party MP Jacinda Ardern, FYD co-founders Graeme Dingle and Jo-anne Wilkinson, Sarah Hillary, and Dame Catherine Tizard.

In total, 20 awards were presented, including:

· Nine Project K Student Excellence Awards for graduates of Project K who have shown the most outstanding commitment to the Project K programme and made significant changes in their lives, sponsored by New Zealand Steel.

· Three Stars Outstanding Contribution from a Peer Mentor Awards to acknowledge the great contribution of Stars Peer Mentors who are making a significant difference in the lives of the juniors in their school, sponsored by Bathurst Resources Limited.

· The Sir Edmund Hillary Youth Achievement Award for an FYD alumni who has gone on to achieve excellence, sponsored by Kiwibank.

· Three Kiwi Can Outstanding Leader Awards presented to Kiwi Can leaders to recognise the wonderful contributions of leaders who are making a difference to the lives of young people, sponsored by Partners Life.

· Two MYND Youth Achievement Awards to acknowledge outstanding progress made by graduates of the MYND programme, sponsored by Collins Asset Management.

· The Dame Pat Evison Scholarship, recognising a FYD student with outstanding potential in creative arts.

· The Outstanding Kiwi Can School awarded to a school from around New Zealand running an impeccable Kiwi Can programme and producing wonderful results, sponsored by Synergine Group.

2013 Award Recipients

Project K Student Excellence Awards: Stacey Beazley (Hamilton), Jessica Collins (Tauranga), Sean Girling (Wellington), Marissa Eggers (Christchurch), Sam Beaumont (Gore), Bronwyn Ward (Auckland), Danica Thompson (South Auckland), Briana-Jade Thompson (North Shore), Teneeka Taurere (North Shore)

Stars Outstanding Contribution from a Peer Mentor Awards: Jerreau Tonge (Tokoroa), Jolene Mareko (West Auckland), Richard Lee (West Auckland)

Sir Edmund Hillary Youth Achievement Award (for a Project K Alumni): Robbie Love (Hawkes Bay)

Kiwi Can Outstanding Leader Awards: Terry Faleva’ai (Hamilton), Jayleb Dean (Tokoroa), Joseph Kennar (South Auckland)

MYND Youth Achievement Awards: Tokarahi Samuela (West Auckland), Gabryel Wii (West Auckland)

Dame Pat Evison Scholarship: Michaela Clark (Manurewa)

Outstanding Kiwi Can School: Forest Lake School (Hamilton)

Award winners spent the day together in Auckland before the awards ceremony and were involved in a range of activities including a tour of the Auckland International Airport and activities at Deloitte.

FYD currently helps more than 17,000 young New Zealanders each year through its proven programmes - Kiwi Can, Stars, Project K, Career Navigator and MYND. All FYD programmes build on young people’s talents through physical and mental challenges; developing core life skills and helping them achieve their potential in order to succeed in life.

FYD Patron, His Excellency, Lieutenant General The Right Hon Sir Jerry Mateparae, Governor-General of New Zealand opens the Awards ceremony

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