2021-scholarships

As a non-binary transgender student residing in an all-boys school - there were inevitable challenges Tame-Cole would have to overcome; “I see myself as a proponent of change which will promote a culture of diversity so severely lacking from educational institutions on a whole”.

Hailing from sunny Whakatane, 18 year old Daniel is a youth leader for the LGBTQI+ community in the area which he says is one of his proudest achievements; “One of my core principles in life is leaving the world a better place than I found it; I see myself achieving that by ensuring that Rainbow Tangata feel more supported and welcomed than I did when they come out”.

Kiefer who is trans (he/him) was proud to be the deputy head boy at Tawa College and was one of the leaders of our school’s Queer Straight Alliance which grew to around 30 students in his year. “I can’t imagine not being involved with the rainbow community.

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.

Sendhil is both academically and community driven. Some of his outstanding achievements include being elected student Representative on the Board of Trustees at Tawa College for 2018/2019 and a Tawa College 2020 Prefect, appointed the Chairperson for the Year 12 student council. A leader of A-Z, the Tawa College LGBTQI+ group to build greater equality within the community.

Having come out as bisexual in year 9 whilst still playing rugby at Kāpiti College, it was a rocky road for Ben. However, with a broken collar bone he was now forced to look into other activities at school, such as the arts. Barbershop, choir, drama, Shakespeare etc.

One of Neil's great passions in life is taking leadership roles in many capacities. This has attributed to him becoming the Deputy Head Boy at Mount Hutt College, being the Student Trustee on the Mount Hutt College and Lauriston School Combined Board for 2019, being 2019 and 2020, Co-Head of the Magazine Committee and Head Editor, founding and leading the MHC UN Youth Group in 2019...

For the past two years Autumn has run their school's LGBTQI+ club at St Cuthbert's College. Providing a safe and welcoming environment for the young students as a mentor, guiding them through their journey of exploring gender and identity.

Ruhith was a leader of the Mount Maunganui College Gay-Straight Alliance, a member of the 2020 Mount Maunganui College student leadership team where he held the role of Executive Leader and a member of other school councils.