Waipā Youth Awards now open

Nominations open today for the 2021 Waipā District Council Youth Awards, which celebrate the achievements of the Waipā district’s young people.

Now in its 19th year, the awards recognise achievements in academic, community service, leadership, sporting and arts/culture categories.

This year, a new environmental category has been added to the award spectrum to acknowledge young people who have provided invaluable assistance in caring for the environment, with Fonterra sponsoring the prize.

Youth aged 14-18 years who live in or have attended school in Waipā for at least six months of the 2020 academic year are eligible to enter.

Last year’s awards attracted more than 100 nominations. With mass gatherings being restricted due to Covid-19, Council created a video featuring head students announcing the award winners.

Mayor Jim Mylchreest said the awards were one way to acknowledge the large achievement that Waipā youth had put in over the past year.

“A large part of what makes Waipā a vibrant community is our young people who innovate, challenge and inspire those around them every day to make life better. These awards are our way of acknowledging these exceptional youth who make an epic contribution to our schools and the wider community.”

“Receiving an accolade such as these awards also can help boost future scholarship and academic opportunities, showing the drive and determination each person has put into achieving excellence," Mylchreest said.

Each year the ceremony is hosted by head students of Te Awamutu College, Cambridge High School and St Peter's School Cambridge and held at one of the three secondary schools.

The 2021 formal awards ceremony will be held at St Peter’s School in Cambridge on Thursday 26 August.

The awards would not be possible without the support of a number of local organisations and businesses including Fonterra, the University of Waikato, Cambridge and Te Awamutu Rotary, Cambridge Lions, Cambridge Business Networking International, commercial printer CMYK, Construction Advantage Limited and Storey Sport.

Nominations close on Friday 28 May 2021. Nomination forms are available from secondary schools, Council offices, libraries and at www.waipadc.govt.nz/youthawards.