Some of the recipients of Geyser Community Foundation Awards Rebecca Firth (left) Keren Liao, Sandeep Uppal, Shaquille Graham, Audra Higgins, Thomas Orr, Blanca Alvarez-Chevaz, Emire Bidois and Merissa Santoso. Photo/Ben Fraser
Some of the recipients of Geyser Community Foundation Awards Rebecca Firth (left) Keren Liao, Sandeep Uppal, Shaquille Graham, Audra Higgins, Thomas Orr, Blanca Alvarez-Chevaz, Emire Bidois and Merissa Santoso. Photo/Ben Fraser
A $1000 scholarship could prove to be the winning stroke for a Rotorua teen with the Black Caps in his sights.
Shaquille Graham was one of 18 recipients from the Rotorua and Taupo district communities recognised at the Geyser Community Foundation Awards yesterday. Mr Graham, 19, is studying physical educationat Otago University. This is his second Geyser scholarship and he said it was well-timed.
"This will enable me to pursue my dreams. Cricket is an expensive sport so this means I can go for my aspiration to eventually be at the top - to be a Black Caps opening batsman. A good bat is $700, my bat is broken at the moment so it's good timing."
Rotorua Mayor Steve Chadwick assisted chairman, Joe La Grouw, and Geyser Community Foundation donors, Jan Bolton and Dr Margriet Theron in presenting the awards.
Mr La Grouw said Geyser was delighted to be able to provide this wonderful opportunity to a wide range of young people who live in the Rotorua and Taupo district communities, thanks to the generosity of a number of donors.
"The aims of these awards are to acknowledge talented young people in the Rotorua and Taupo districts, and provide them with the opportunity to further their education, develop their potential and to build leadership in our local communities," he said.
"We welcome donations and gifts of all sizes to help grow our funds so that we can reach further into Rotorua and Taupo communities and more people benefit."
The total value of the scholarships and awards presented exceeded $11,000.
Awards: Geyser Community Foundation Development Awards, $1000: Rebecca Firth, Shaquille Graham, Jun Lee, Paula Hyun Lee, Caitlyn McLeod, Thomas Orr, Lukas Wharekura; Personal Development Awards, $1000: Rebecca Palmer, Susanna Short, Jason Te Kani; Geyser Community Foundation Kaingaroa Roading Scholarship, $600: Audra Higgins; Geyser Community Foundation Speech NZ Scholarships: Blanca Alvarez-Chevaz ($63), Emire Bidois ($103), Carla Garcia ($73), Keren Liao ($83), Idris Morse ($50), Merissa Santoso ($73), Sandeep Uppal ($73).
