Crombie Scholars Announced
Congratulations to this year’s winners of the coveted Diana and Colin Crombie Scholarship for tertiary studies.
Year 13 Napier Girls High School student Lilly Seerden and Napier Boys High School’s Mitchell Baxter have been selected from a competitive group of 38 applicants, to receive $9,000 each over three years towards their tertiary education.
Gifted through Hawke’s Bay Foundation, founders of the Fund, Napier philanthropists Colin and Diana Crombie, have been awarding the scholarships aimed at “sons and daughters of hard-working families”, for seventeen years.
Hawke’s Bay Foundation’s Vanessa Bousfield sat on the interviewing panel and was impressed with the charitable spirit of this year’s candidates.
“Lilly is extremely hard working, holding down several jobs in her spare time and holidays, she loves volunteering and is full of energy and enthusiasm. Mitchell was also engaged in fundraising post cyclone, and has held many jobs along with his volunteering work. Both students are incredibly focussed and grateful for the extra support this scholarship offers them.”
The focus of the Crombie Scholarship isn’t just selecting a standout student, but finding a family that would benefit from the support of getting a student through university.
For Lilly who is heading to Victoria University next year to study Commerce and Human Resource, it’s an unexpected leg up.
“This scholarship opens so many more opportunities for me. It means that I can further strive for my goals and aspirations of a bright and successful future, which means a lot to me.”
Mitchell will also attend Victoria University where he plans to tackle an Interaction Design and Marketing degree.
“I am incredibly grateful to be awarded the Crombie Scholarship,” he says, “It takes a lot of financial pressure off me, allowing me to focus on my studies and pursue my career goals. Receiving this scholarship is more to me than just the money; it means that the Foundation has recognized my dedication and commitment and is investing in my future success, which I appreciate greatly. This has given me even more confidence to succeed and has really boosted my excitement in achieving my goals at Victoria University.”
Female Ag Scholar
This year’s inaugural recipient of the Alison Bevin Scholarship aimed at supporting females into careers in agriculture, viticulture or horticulture is Pippa McCarthy from Napier Girls’ High School.
Pippa is heading to Lincoln University in 2024 to study a Bachelor of Agricultural Science, and will be supported with $9,000 over three years thanks to benevolent donor of the Fund, Alison Bevin.
Alison returned home to Havelock North after a decade long adventure travelling the world, with a sharpened awareness of the vast divide between wealth, poverty and opportunity. Wanting to do her bit to help other women, she launched her own scholarship fund through Hawke’s Bay Foundation last year.
Alison describes Pippa as “a determined young woman who has succeeded at school and in sports despite facing challenges. She is articulate and delightful, and is focussed towards her goal.”
Pippa couldn’t be more grateful for the support. “Securing this scholarship has meant a lot for my family and I. It will help assist me in my studies at university and I am beyond thankful to be the first recipient of Alison’s scholarship.”