Acorn Foundation Dale Carnegie scholarship winner says value is 'immeasurable'

This year's Acorn Foundation Dale Carnegie Youth Programme scholarship winners. Photo / Supplied

Before completing his scholarship course on driving success, Ben Jones, 17, wouldn't have felt confident talking to people or taking part in conversations.

Now the Papamoa College student says he can get up and speak in front of people and not have any nerves.

Ben, and 22 other Year 13 students from 11 schools across the Western Bay of Plenty received their graduation certificates last Thursday for completing the 2021 Acorn Foundation Dale Carnegie Youth Programme.

The three-day course teaches the Dale Carnegie five drivers of success: building greater self-confidence, strengthening people skills, enhancing communication skills, developing leadership skills and reducing stress and worry.

During the graduation ceremony, each student stood up in front of an audience and gave a short speech about what they had learned – a feat that many remarked they would never have attempted to do before attending the course.

"I've changed so much for the better. Before the course, I wouldn't even know what to say in conversations, but now I'm able to have a good conversation with people, and I can get up in front of people and not have any nerves," Ben said.

"The value is almost immeasurable. I'm planning on doing a Bachelor of Science at University of Waikato, and I know now that anyone you meet you can turn into a friend. It's been amazing."

Acorn's donors, the late Mary and Roy McGowan, have been funding the scholarships since 2010.

"Thanks to this fantastic support from Roy and Mary McGowan, over the years more than 270 local students have had access to a youth version of a course that millions of people around the world have taken to learn skills for success in their professional and personal lives," Acorn Foundation chief executive Lori Luke said.

Acorn Foundation, Dale Carnegie BOP Waikato, and Priority One's InStep programme have long partnered to offer the youth-focused course, which provides methods to help young people improve both their self-confidence and personal communication techniques as they prepare to finish school.

This year's scholarship winners

ACG Tauranga: Changlu Guo and Hugo McCarthy

Aquinas College: Christie Vergeest and Tom McCarroll

Bethlehem College: Anabel Louie, Wendy Zhao and Brianna Shaw

Katikati College: Gemini Matagani and Oliver Griffiths

Mount Maunganui College: Jacob Capes and Bri Carling

Otumoetai College: Katie Andrew and Siddartha Gurung

Papamoa College: Eva Trlin and Ben Jones

Tauranga Boys' College: Jedodiah Mathieson and Jarod Van Der Merwe

Tauranga Girls' College: Gabe Adams and Olivia Simmonds

Te Puke High School: Ciara Sunnex and Murphy Bruning

Te Whare Kura O Mauao: WeraWera Nooroa and Dom Angell