Valedictorians gear up for starring roles

EIT valedictorians Anton Luiten (left), Sophia Raroa and Sheila Argent try on their graduation gowns for size. Photo / Supplied

EIT's three valedictorians are capping their inspirational academic achievements in delivering farewell speeches on behalf of former classmates at graduation ceremonies this week.

The traditional honour went to Anton Luiten, graduating with concurrent Bachelor of Wine Science and Bachelor of Viticulture degrees, Bachelor of Applied Social Sciences graduate Sophia Raroa and Bachelor of Nursing graduate Sheila Argent.

Anton moved from Whangarei in 2012 to take up EIT's Year 13 degree scholarship and study in Hawke's Bay.

In his second year, he was awarded the inaugural Constellation Brands New Zealand Ltd wine industry scholarship for a student enrolled in viticulture degree studies at EIT.

At the time, he said the company's offer of study break work experience was at least as important as winning the $5000 grant. Anton worked with Constellation's Corner 50 viticultural team and was offered a fulltime position in 2014.

The company has supported him as he continued studying, part-time and by distance, over three years.

In 2015 and 2016, Anton was Hawke's Bay's runner-up Young Viticulturist of the Year.

Sophia thought launching into tertiary studies with EIT's Certificate in Introduction to Social Services in 2012 would be like going back to school.

"But from day one, I felt comfortable and not dumb or silly," she says of her School of Education and Social Sciences tutors and lecturers.

"The staff were really welcoming and supportive and made me feel I can do this."

Moving on to the Bachelor of Applied Social Sciences in 2013, Sophia achieved progressively higher grades and she was awarded her cohort's top mark for work encompassing her placement with Child, Youth and Family last year.

"It was challenging and very busy, and the support from my family and friends was amazing," the mother-of-two says of dovetailing study and family life.

"I wanted to be at a place where caring and protecting our children and future leaders were a priority."

A Ngati Porou descendant, born in Taupo and with whakapapa and whanau links to Rongomaiwahine and Tuwharetoa, Sophia is now employed as a social worker with Child, Youth and Family.

Sheila left a career in international banking to become a stay-at-home mum. When she and husband Dave moved from London to New Zealand, she thought about what she would do as their three children got older and more independent.

"Health care is an environment I have always felt comfortable in, probably due to my family's various work involvements within it. A career in nursing felt a natural option for me."

Starting at EIT as a mature student, Sheila was surprised she wasn't the oldest in her class. Achieving straight As, she is now employed on the Hawke's Bay District Health Board's nurse entry to practice programme (NEtP).

"I'm absolutely loving my time in the paediatric ward," she says, "working with the most vulnerable members of our community.

''Young patients need strong advocacy, as do their parents - it's such a worrying time for all the family, and my goal is to make their time in hospital as stress free as possible."

A Taradale resident, Sheila would love to continue working in the paediatric field at the end of her NEtP contract.