A record year for the Arrowtown Autumn Festival has resulted in two $2500 scholarships being offered to senior Wakatipu High students.
Event organiser Catherine Fallon says more than 10,000 people attended the market and parade day, and all ticketed events over April’s four-day festival sold out.
While the festival committee keep some funds in reserve to run next year’s festival, surplus money is donated back to the area.
This is the third year the scholarships have been handed out to students heading off to further study who’ve contributed significantly to the local community.
Last year’s scholarship winner was Megan McCulloch, who’s now studying in Wellington.
Megan says she’s beyond grateful for the financial support, which has provided her with a ‘‘boost in forming a future I thought I could have only ever dreamed of’’.
‘‘In the past, and as I am sure it will continue to do, this scholarship has given the opportunity to recognise a variety of students for their work within the community.
‘‘No one’s work goes unnoticed — you never know who may be watching.’’
Megan’s put the funds largely towards accommodation costs, with some of it going towards a part-time dance programme she’s taking alongside uni studies.
‘‘This scholarship has lessened financial stress, allowing me to focus on my studies and have time to help out in the community more.
‘‘I am so thankful for all the connections I have made, and continue to seek more ways of how I can give back to both my community at home and the community in my now second home.’’
Festival co-chair Nichola Bentley says scholarship applications are now open, and she encourages any year 13 Wakatipu High student with a
strong track record of community involvement — through Scouts, sports groups, St Johns, Duke of Edinburgh, school leadership roles or
community organisations/events, for example — to apply.
Fellow festival co-chair Anne Marie Campbell says the idea of rewarding students who have volunteered their time to the community fits with the festival, an event primarily run by volunteers for the community.
‘‘The standard of the applicants in the past two years has been amazing, and the level of community spirit that our young people have demon strated is humbling.
‘‘It’s wonderful to be able to reward them in this way, when some of them do fly under the radar.’’
Scholarship applications close on August 31.
To apply, visit the Wakatipu Community Foundation website.
