Pātea teenager Fern Wilson (17) was awarded an overall merit award at the recent Blue Light Life Skills Camp.
The camp was at the Blue Light Youth Camp in Wairākei, Taupō from November 25-29.
Fern beat a strong group of young people from the North Island to take the prize on the week-long residential course.
The Blue Light life skills co-ordinator Powhiri Bidois says Fern was presented the overall merit award as camp staff felt that she "had significant and consistent improvement in attitude, self-discipline, self-confidence, participation and teamwork and was always respectful to staff and fellow course members".
The award was presented to Fern by former Constable Donna Aitchison who was the reviewing officer at the camp.