The penguin mascot for Junior Neighbourhood Support Wairarapa has been dubbed Sparky, after a Lakeview School pupil won the naming rights in an interschool contest.
Sarah Taylor-Waitere, co-ordinator for Junior Neighbourhood Support (JNS) and youth development officer with Masterton Safe and Healthy Community Council, said Lakeview head girl Emily Luxford, 12, had won the colouring and naming contest ahead of about other 100 entries.
Lakeview, Masterton Primary and Fernridge schools have joined the JNS Wairarapa network, which aims to recognise, celebrate and reward the community spirit and social vigilance of Year 1-8 students. Two other schools in the town are discussing involvement with the programme, which was launched in the region last year. The naming contest was run at the three participating schools and the 14 JNS ambassadors voted for the the winning entry from a shortlist of names that also included Combo, Junior, Buddy and Ice.
