Three students from Rotorua Girls' High School are still in shock after receiving financial scholarships for their studies next year.
Year 13 students Kayla Kautai, Erina Himona and Alyssa Pineda were awarded scholarships for different universities across the country.
"I was so overwhelmed when I heard the news. Me and my parents just started jumping on the beds because we were so excited," Kayla said.
For Erina, winning a scholarship was the last thing she expected.
"I was in complete shock. My teachers always told me to keep applying for scholarships but I never thought I would get one. I'm just happy I took their advice," she said.
Rotorua Girls' High School scholarship recipients Erina Himona, (left), Alyssa Pineda, and Kayla Kautai can't wait to start life at university. Photo/Ben Fraser
Alyssa said the whole thing was still sinking in.
"This year just flew by and it's crazy to think that this is the end of the year already. I'm definitely grateful and honoured to be in this position."
Each of the girls will be going down separate paths as they look towards university with Kayla planning on studying engineering and science, Maori and business for Erina and biology and chemical engineering for Alyssa.
"Computers have always been a passion of mine. My goal is to be a software developer for Apple one day," Kayla said.
The three girls agreed that their final year at school was by far the hardest.
"It was definitely a full-on year. I'm just looking forward to when exams are over," said Erina.
Other Rotorua scholarship winners
Rotorua Lakes High School Paddy Bayliss: US$100,000 American Uni scholarship Ella Fookes: $18,000 Otago University Matt Gatenby: $18,000 John Waller Memorial scholarship Eve Battersby: $6000 Otago University Ethan Wait: $5000 Otago University Elora Kelly: $6000 Waikato University Sarah Sanderson: $5000 Otago University Maddison Nurkka $5000 Victoria University Maraea Gourlay: $5000 Victoria University Emaraina Kapa: $500 Toi Ohomai scholarship
Rotorua Girls' High School Kayla Kautai $2000 Otago University, $5000 Victoria University Chelsea Pita $2000 Otago University Parenuora Pene $2000 Otago University, $5000 Victoria University Nadia Elers: $6000 Massey University Rangipurei Manley: $5000 Victoria University, $20,000 Auckland University, $25,000 Waikato University Awataea Rikirangi-Thomas $5000 Victoria University $20,000 Auckland University Alyssa Pineda $25,000 Waikato University Erina Himona $10,000 Waikato University Anhera Teinakore-Curtis $10,000 Waikato University
John Paul College Adam Schweizer: $20,000 Victoria University, $20,000 Auckland University, $16,000 University of Canterbury Anna Piebenga: $40,000 Otago University Ariana Mitchell-Witehira: $40 000 Otago University, $20 000 Auckland University Augustine Dube: $5000 Victoria University, $20,000 Auckland University Claire Self: $6000 Otago University, $20,000 Auckland University Eamon Walsh: $40,000 Otago University, $20,000 Auckland University Elena Lee: $5000 Victoria University Ella Sutherland $10,000 Lincoln University Elsie Spiers: $5000 Victoria University Georgia Williams: $40,000 Otago University, $20,000 Auckland University Jack Elvy: $25,000 Waikato University Joshua Gapes $6000 Otago University Maia Eason: $9000 Victoria University Margus Chiu: $6000 Otago University, $10,000 University of Canterbury Shani Marino: $5000 Victoria University Shulan Qiu: $40,000 Otago University, $1500 Soroptimists International Tara Ford-Robertson: $6000 Otago University, $9000 Victoria University Theresa McLean: $40,000 Otago University, $20,000 Auckland University Thomas Firth: $6000 Otago University Zara Mortimer: $5000 Victoria University
Rotorua Boys' High School Rehua Selwyn: $10,000 Waikato University Corbett Rakaupai: $6000 Waikato University Kewarei Hawkins-McClutchie: $6000 Waikato University Guillaume Martel: $5000 Victoria University, $500 Te Arawa Fisheries Scholarship Renati Waaka: $5000 Victoria University Sean Osborne-Curtis: $5000 Victoria University Trent McVarnock: $20,000 Auckland University Nikora Wade: $10,000 Auckland University Nathan Kenah: $6000 Otago University Tom Ale: $10,000 Otago University, Warriors Study Grant $7000
Western Heights High School Billy Johnstone: $20,000 Auckland University Anna Pilaar: $20,000 Auckland University, $5000 Victoria University, $6000 Otago University Kieran Williams: $20,000 Auckland University, $500 Rotorua Jazz Society Hon Sum Chiu: $20,000 Auckland University, $4000 Waikato University Hannah Heasma: $5000 Victoria University Zach Williams: $5000 Victoria University Dioyne Vercoe: $5000 Victoria University Shanayla Barrett: $5000 Victoria University Sfax Pereniki: $5000 Victoria University Jeremy Atkin: $4000 Waikato University Maddie Guy: $6000 Otago University Ye Kyung Kim: $6000 Otago University Danni McKenzie: $6000 Otago University Nielsen Dandoroff: $6000 Otago University Keanu Flavell: $10,000 Otago University Emma Lund: $5000 Otago University Tayla McKenzie-Bethell: $6000 Otago University Alyssa Ngatai: $1500 Karen and Greg Hunt Scholarship
Reporoa College Laura Jane Muller Tayla Mckenzie-Griffin Jasmine Worthington * Details not specified
