Charlotte Blundell – RNZCT / Countdown Scholarship + UBIQ Voucher. Bachelor Arts/Bachelor Health Science Conjoint – University of Auckland

Along with being a school prefect at Mount Hutt College, Charlotte was head of her school Arts Committee and leader of the student GSA group. Charlotte also musically gifted having spent time singing in her school’s Senior Choir, she was also a Section Leader for the Alto Saxophones in her school’s concert band and played the saxophone in a jazz combo.

Sport is also a passion for Charlotte, she plays and umpires Premiere-grade netball and I coaches/mentors up-and-coming umpires. She has also coached and refereed basketball teams within Mount Hutt College.

As leader of the Arts Committee Charlotte, she organised the first Arts Evening held in her school hall with performances throughout the night and an art gallery displaying student art, raising over $1,000 for the Arts Committee to use to fund arts-based projects in the future.

As leader of the student GSA group Charlotte and the Rainbow Youth group organised Mount Hutt College’s first-ever Pride Week with various events and raised $650 towards supporting Rainbow Youth. Charlotte even gave a talk to the Mount Hutt teaching staff about the treatment of our LGBTQI+ students, with examples of discrimination our students have encountered because of their gender identity or sexual orientation. She answered any questions from staff to further educate on the topic, making sure to promote discussion of strategies to prevent LGBTQI+ students from future bullying and harassment and to create a safe environment for students to come out and be themselves.

Charlotte is enrolled in the University of Auckland for a conjoint degree Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Health Science, majoring in Psychology and Population Health. It is her goal to become a clinical psychologist, specialising in working with children and adolescents struggling with their mental health.

“I have grown up with close friends and family struggling with mental health issues and have tried my best to support them through hard times and two years ago, I experienced a personal tragedy where I lost someone close to me. This solidified my choice of study, as I want to prevent others from experiencing what my friend went through.”

We know that someone as talented as Charlotte will definitely have a bright future ahead no matter what path she chooses. Good luck Charlotte!