KATE NEWTON Climbing new heights has become far easier for Hawke's Bay teens, thanks to Hastings man Nick Stewart. Mentoring programme Project K has just received a further $12,000 in annual sponsorship from Stewart Financial Group, which Mr Stewart is the executive director of, and Karamu High School student Shannan Rochfort isgetting some one-on- one attention. The 16-year-old has spent the past six months learning new skills and techniques from his mentor, Mr Stewart. "Project K is making me stronger mentally and helping me push through so I can reach my goals," Shannan said. The Project K programme matches students at Karamu, Central Hawke's Bay College and Taradale High School with a mentor to teach them life skills and goal-setting. Since joining the programme Shannan has taken up javelin and thrown a personal best of 32 metres. With Mr Stewart's guidance he is training regularly and loving it. "I've been kayaking, abseilling and even gorging," Shannan said. Learning to save money rather than just spending it is another lesson Mr Stewart has passed down. For Mr Stewart, who has also become a trustee of Project K in Hawke's Bay, the reward has been seeing Shannan realise his full potential. "Project K is very active in the community and is gaining kudos among the younger people we are here to help," he said. "It's hard work and takes commitment but it's great for all involved." Every two weeks Mr Stewart and Shannan catch up to run through goal-setting. Once a month they walk up the Te Mata Peak goat track. The next goal on Shannan's list is getting his driver's licence and with Mr Stewart there for motivation and accountability, it should be no sweat.
