Editorial: Standing up to make a difference

St John's College student Ben Lotomau has his sights set on becoming a paramedic in the Royal New Zealand Navy when he leaves school at the end of this year.
He has already shown he has not only the character but also the right attitude for such a demanding role.
On work experience with St John Ambulance, Ben did not hesitate to help when six Samoan nationals injured in a car crash arrived at Hawke's Bay Hospital.
His work experience shift was finished for the day but Ben stayed to fill the important role of translator between the doctors and the injured. With back injuries, a broken nose and other injuries needing medical attention once the victims were taken from the ambulance, it must have been hectic.
Ben told Hawke's Bay Today (see page 3) how impressed he was by the attitude of the hospital medical staff.
"It taught me that doctors respect cultural difference and that they know they need someone there who can translate and know what to do with people from other cultures."
But it was the medical professionals who were truly impressed - by Ben.
St John Ambulance sent a letter to his school outlining how much he had done to help, above and beyond what was expected, and an award was presented to him at assembly.
Ben joins a growing list of young men from Hawke's Bay schools who have impressed the community this year by standing up when it counts.
Just last week, three Hastings Boys' High School students - Liam Mataira, Benjamin Hayllar, and Tama McKenzie - were hailed as heroes by the police for stepping in to save a 12-year-old schoolgirl from abduction.
The trio had the rare distinction of being awarded police District Commander Commendations, an accolade usually reserved for members of the police.
Ben, Liam, Benjamin and Tama did not have to do anything but they all chose to act and made a difference in doing so.