Positive contributions get students recognised

High School students at the Lions awards for Young Achievers 2013. Photo / Glenn Taylor

Eleven of Napier's finest young achievers will be recognised for their positive contributions to their community at a special function on Thursday night.

It is the fourth year the Spirit of Napier Lions Club has run the Napier Young Achievers programme which sees one award presented for each 100 students on a school's Year 13 senior roll.

The programme, which has been run by Hastings Lions for five years and based on a long-running one which began in Rotorua, highlights and recognises examples of positive and motivated youth in the city.

Selection revolves around students in their final year of secondary school who are seen as excellent role models and who have achieved above expectations in one or more fields of endeavour, be it academic or non-academic.

The awards presentation will take place at the Napier City Council chambers at 7.30pm tomorrow night.

The guest speaker for the occasion will be Sandy Ibbottson from the Napier Community Patrol group while Lions district governor Keith Kenderdine will also be in attendance.

Also attending will be Sacred Heart College head girl Olivia Burrell who last month won the New Zealand Speechmaking Competition in Tauranga.

The senior student, sponsored by the Lions Club of Spirit of Napier, was representing Hawke's Bay in the competition after winning the regional secondary schools' competition and will now travel to the US on a six-week speaking tour in December.

The 11 students set to be recognised tomorrow will all receive certificates and their photos and resumes will go on display at Napier City Council.