It was a privilege for Search The Way Award Unit to present a whole series of Youth Awards to three outstanding Nelson based participants.
Nelli Zaiko, with great determination and dedication, spent many hours improving her talents in Irish dancing, piano and saxophone, and giving superb service to the community in areas such as Big Brothers Big Sisters, work in kindergartens and retirement homes and has completed adventure training and journeys. Nelli was presented with both her Level 1 and Level 2 On Track Leadership Awards and is about to complete her Bronze Duke of Edinburgh's Hillary Award. Jessica Verkuil, with amazing attitude and aptitude, improved her well-being and abilities by completing a personalised fitness programme, practising and playing the clarinet, developing leadership as a Navy Cadet, enjoyed doing her Gold Residential Project on the Spirit of Adventure and completing adventure training and then the Abel Tasman and Heaphy Great Walks. Jessica was presented her Levels 2,3 and 4 On Track Leadership Awards and has completed her Gold Duke of Edinburgh's Hillary Award. Jemimah Olive, showed superb commitment and confidence, enhancing her numerous skills by completing a variety of fitness activities such as boxing and running, singing and playing instruments such as the guitar, piano and ukelele, giving valued training and service with Fire and Emergency, loved doing her Gold Residential Project at Outward Bound and also completed adventure training and the Abel Tasman and Heaphy Great Walks. Jemimah was presented her Levels 2,3 and 4 On Track Leadership Awards and has also completed her Gold Duke of Edinburgh's Hillary Award. Jemimah and Jessica will be presented their Gold Awards at an official Gold Award ceremony in 2022.
As the icing on the cake, Jessica and Jemimah were also named as the joint recipients of the Morgan Durrant Memorial Award for being the most outstanding participants on the On Track Programme. This was thoroughly deserved recognition to them both for their equally impressive performances and achievements on the programme.
A special thanks goes out to all those who have helped support Nelli, Jessica and Jemimah in completing their Youth Awards, including family, friends, staff at Nelson College for Girls, alongside various community and youth organisations. We are very proud of all three of these outstanding participants and wish them continued success in all their future endeavours. Yes, we salute a truly tremendous trio indeed!