Kalameli Brown has won the 2021 Win Hastings Bright Futures Scholarship. PHOTO/SUPPLIED
Makoura College student Kalameli Brown has won the 2021 Win Hastings Bright Futures Scholarship, propelling her into a career in health.
The Nikau Foundation said that for her display of incredible commitment to her school and the wider community, Brown was awarded $3000 to assist with accommodation and living costs as she pursues tertiary education.
Born in Samoa, Brown said she moved to pursue educational opportunities in New Zealand.
Studying at Masterton’s Makoura College, Brown quickly found a love for science.
She said she would begin studying health science at the University of Otago to pursue a career in medicine.
“I really love the idea of being a doctor. I hope that through this study, I can then help communities in Samoa.
“It is the experiences that we go through that make me think about how I would like to improve and make a difference in my world.”
Brown said that, during her time at Makoura College, she had held multiple leadership positions.
She has been a house leader and Samoan leader in Polygroup, who have performed at many community events in 2021.
Nikau Foundation said she excelled academically and worked hard to achieve her goals.
Brown said she had wanted to earn 60 NCEA credits last year, “I worked really hard and ended up achieving my goal”.
Makoura College deputy principal, Dan Hrstich said Brown’s commitment to advancing her academic capability had seen her achieve outstanding results at NCEA level one, level two, and anticipated the same at level three.
“Exceeding this achievement level has been her realisation of potential career paths, and there is no doubt that whatever she sets her sights on attaining, Kalameli will succeed.”
Brown said she thought the scholarship would allow an opportunity for her future goals.
“Being awarded this scholarship will motivate me to focus, succeed and apply everything I have worked hard for.”
In 2020 the scholarship was awarded to Wairarapa College student Zoe Edwards, and Kuranui College student Tama Paku.
“Both showed a true commitment to their community and a desire to give back, as well as clearly demonstrated leadership qualities.”
Established in 2018, the Win Hastings Bright Futures Scholarship is awarded each year to a Year 13 student in the Wellington region who has displayed extraordinary leadership and commitment to their local community.
Nikau Foundation said the scholarship aimed to support a young person who had displayed outstanding commitment to their chosen field and provide a solid foundation for achieving their dreams.
Nikau Foundation executive director Alice Montague said that having displayed incredible tenacity, leadership, and generosity of spirit, Brown was a most deserving scholarship recipient.
“We were thrilled to award Kalameli with this years’ Win Hastings Scholarship. Kalameli has displayed an exemplary commitment to academics, leadership and helping out in her community, and we are excited to see how she can build on this by furthering her study.”
Nikau Foundation said the scholarship was established in memory of Win Hastings.
“This scholarship, which grants up to $3000, aims to support a young person who has displayed outstanding commitment to their chosen field but may not be in the position to pursue their dreams without financial assistance.”
It said the scholarship was founded to contribute to accommodation and living costs during the first year of tertiary education.
“Nikau Foundation was founded in 1991. The first of a now extensive network of 17 community foundations throughout New Zealand, Nikau was established to grow philanthropy in the Wellington region.
“Nikau Foundation has now issued grants totalling over $6 million to community organisations throughout the Wellington region.”
Nikau Foundation said scholarships were awarded competitively based on equity, leadership, and commitment to the community.
“Any applicants must be in Year 13 or have completed Year 13 in the year prior and be taking a gap year to be eligible to apply for this scholarship.”
It said students must live and be at school or college at the time of application.
