KEY POINTS:
Desiree Reupena used to avoid computers at high school - but after three years at university and a helping hand from a First Foundation scholarship, she loves information technology and is about to finish a commerce degree specialising in it.
The 21-year-old has overcome huge barriers in her rise to the top.
"It just goes to show anything is possible," she said. "If you have passion for what you are studying."
Last night, Ms Reupena was again honoured, getting the foundation's $1000 inaugural trustee award at the non-profit organisation's 10th anniversary celebrations.
The prize completes Ms Reupena's inspiring, four-year journey with the foundation.
During her time, the University of Auckland student - who grew up in a family with six children in Otara - worked with a mentor and gained on-the-job experience with Westpac.
It was not a completely smooth ride for the former Otahuhu College deputy head girl. Last year she had a "setback" with a statistics paper she needed to major in marketing.
"But for me, numbers didn't really work well," said Ms Reupena.
She had to rethink her second major.
Ms Reupena said she had already taken "an extra paper here and there" so quickly arranged to switch focus and will complete her degree on time, graduating next year with a double major in operations management and information systems.
A spokeswoman for the foundation said Ms Reupena's success embodied its goals of removing barriers for students from low-decile schools and helping them become role models.
The foundation has awarded more than 160 scholarships to talented students from poor neighbourhoods since it was established a decade ago.
It has launched a new fund aiming to raise $7 million over five years to grow and expand the programme.
