A Rotorua student says all her hard work has paid off after receiving one of the highest StJohn awards for young people.
After four years of service, John Paul College student Bianca Cox-Hohapata, 18, was presented with the Grand Prior badge this month by Governor-General Sir Jerry Mateparae. Other than awards for bravery, the Grand Prior award is the highest St John confers on its youth members.
Bianca, along with 26 other recipients around the country, was presented with the Badge of the Order embroidered on black felt at a ceremony in Wellington.
Bianca joined the Rotorua Youth Division in 2010 and was promoted to the role of Cadet Corporal in 2013.
During this time, Bianca worked towards the 12 gold-level badges, six compulsory, six of her choice, required for the award.