Aquinas College school leaver Maynard Scott has won one of 10 Golden Jubilee School Leaver Scholarships from the University of Waikato.
Maynard, this year's head boy at Aquinas, will begin a management degree next year majoring in accounting.
The scholarship is worth $10,000 a year for up to four years. It was offered this year as part of the university's 50th anniversary, and awarded to only 10 students who demonstrated a high level of academic excellence, leadership potential and community citizenship.
"It took a few moments to sink in," said Maynard. "I didn't expect to get a call, quite frankly. I remember feeling a mixture of excitement and honour while taking the call and was on cloud nine for a fair bit of time afterwards."
Maynard has also volunteered for the the United Nations Association - Tauranga, led Young Vinnies, a youth wing of the Saint Vincent de Paul Society, and has been a member of Priority One's Young Leaders Forum. He also placed fifth in this year's Lions' Young Speechmaker competition, among many other achievements.
He plans to become a chartered accountant but has also set his sights on something higher.
"I would like to one day become a leader in both business and politics, whether it's through leading a company or serving as an MP."