Former Rotorua student awarded $15k scholarship

Rita Shasha, 17, at Auckland's King's College. Photo/Supplied

A former Rotorua student has been awarded a prestigious, $15,000 school leaver's scholarship after being selected from more than 500 candidates.

Former John Paul College student Rita Shasha, 17, received the Russell McVeagh School Leaver's Scholarship, which will provide funding, a part-time job and a mentor from the law firm.

Rita grew up in Rotorua, where her family still lives in the city. She is a Year 13 student and the head girl at Auckland's King's College, where she boards.

"It feels really surreal knowing that I got the scholarship," says Rita. "It was the main one I had set my sights for so I feel very honoured and lucky to have been given such an amazing opportunity. It has helped make my hard work worth it!"

Rita, who is looking to study law, said she applied for this scholarship because of the opportunities the high profile law firm Russell McVeagh could offer.

"I wanted this scholarship mostly for the mentoring that it offers. It's something that I know will be extremely valuable as I go into university and something I am very lucky to get," says Rita.

Rita's parents emigrated from Iraq via Jordan in 1996, a few years before she was born. Rita is an accomplished piano player, and during her time in Auckland has volunteered at the Mangere Refugee Resettlement Centre. Her native language Arabic has proved useful during days spent engaging with new refugees and their children, many of whom speak Arabic.

Rita was also awarded the Mike Cormack Prize earlier this year, an annual award for young people who have made an outstanding contribution to the community with integrity, leadership, sportsmanship and commitment.

The scholarship offers support to promising school leavers each year through offering work experience, assistance with study-related costs and a guaranteed summer clerk position at Russell McVeagh law firm during the final years of tertiary studies.

John Paul College principal Patrick Walsh said Rita was a high performing student who excelled academically and in speech and drama during her time at the school.

"We offer our congratulations to Rita and wish her all the best for her future."