By ABIGAIL CASPARI in Rotorua
Trident High School's Brook Simpson is already making it on to the national scene for his abilities as a cricketer.
The Year 13 student, who receives The Daily Post Youth in Excellence Award today, was recently selected for the New Zealand Under-17 cricket
team.
When he first started at the school four years ago he was picked for the school's 1st XI.
Over the years the 17-year-old has gained several awards for his skills as a cricketer and has been selected for various representative teams. He was captain of the Coastlands team and part of the Bay of Plenty senior development team.
He was named the Eastern Bay Player of the Year in 2003 and 2004 and Bay of Plenty Senior Cricketer of the Month in February.
"He is an aggressive left-hand batsman and very useful right arm bowler," says principal Peter Tootell.
"Brook is a very energetic and excellent fielder and has been a superb role model for the junior players in the Trident High School teams."
He plans to study physiotherapy at Auckland University of Technology (AUT) next year where he will have to juggle his studies with his passion for cricket and rugby.
He played in the Bay of Plenty Under-16 rugby team last year.
Whakatane's Jeremy Bush has put in the hard yards to reach the top as a surf lifesaver.
The 18-year-old student at Whakatane High School receives The Daily Post Youth in Excellence Award today for his huge efforts as a surf lifesaver.
Despite his age Jeremy was the head regional lifeguard in Whakatane over the summer months. As a volunteer lifeguard Jeremy patrols beaches for a minimum of 40 hours each season through his holidays and weekends. The Year 13 student has given a lot to surf lifesaving, gaining a New Zealand Surf Lifeguard Instructor's Award.
He has won gold, silver and bronze awards at various competitions but over the past six months he has been more focused on teaching than on taking part in competitions. He teaches surf lifesaving to all age groups including two of the school's physical education teachers.
Jeremy is an expert in inflatable rescue boats and teaches people wanting to become crewmen and drivers. As well as surf lifesaving Jeremy has played soccer for the secondary school's 1st XI for the past three years and is captain this year.
He has been an Eastern Bay of Plenty representative soccer player since 1998.
Principal Chris Day said Jeremy was an outstanding young sportsman who had shown great leadership potential and skills throughout his secondary school years. "He is a fine young man with an excellent sense of duty to his local community."
Jeremy has applied to join the New Zealand Army next year.
Rotorua Girls' High - Gloria So-Yeon Kim
Rotorua Boys' High - Paul Spurdle
John Paul College - Jono Griffith
Lakes High School - Clinton Avery
Western Heights High School - Kahurangi Maxwell
Reporoa College - Natalie Pyper
Edgecumbe College - Adele Hanright
Tauhara College - Kelly Woolacott