Students show plenty of endeavour

Hillpark School students are excited about winning the Endeavour Scholarship. Chantelle O'Neill Taalolo and Joshua Ioane are two of the six annual scholarship winners this year. Launched in 2001, Endeavour Scholarships aim to enable young people of Maori and Pasifika descent to gain qualifications that will help them take become leaders in the community. The girls' scholarship covers education at St Cuthbert's College (Years 7-13) and boys' covers education from Years 7 and 8 at King's School and Years 9-13 at King's College. Ten-year-old Chantelle says her aunt, Valley Wandstraat, who works in tertiary education, encouraged her to apply. ``I was so excited because it was something new I hadn't done before.'' The language buff, who has studied Japanese, says she can't wait to start classes next year. Her aunt says she's incredibly proud of her niece and the confidence she showed when she accompanied her to the final interview. ``It's hard enough for an adult to go for a job interview, let alone a 10-year-old to be grilled by a panel.'' The other Hillpark winner, Joshua, says the school and his mum were his motivators. ``I couldn't sleep after I heard I had won.'' A talented sportsman, he captains a South Auckland Maori rugby league team, and knows going to King's can only lead to bigger and better things for him. The school's deputy principal, Terry O'Meara, says Joshua is a gifted sportsman. ``As far as potential, Joshua was probably the most likely candidate to succeed.'' Joshua's father, Steve, says: ``To be honest, I didn't know what to expect when he applied. Frankly, I'm blown away.'' by Sharu Delilkan