Study scholarship eases university pressures

See original article page 11 via Waimea Weekly online

Sam Harman is used to working hard to achieve her goals, but thanks to a $3,000 scholarship from the Network Tasman Trust, some of the pressure has eased off when she heads to university next year.

“I was really excited when I found out,” she says. “I can focus more on my studies and use the money towards halls of residence.”

As well as being an academic captain at Waimea College this year, Sam has received class prize awards at either the Principal’s Prizegiving or Senior Academic Prizegiving in 2020, 2021 and 2022.

In 2021 she also received the Horoirangi taonga – presented to the senior student with the best academic results studying te reo Māori.

Associate deputy-principal Fiona Crump, who nominated Sam, says that she is a very capable student academically and has earned excellent results across her years of NCEA study. 

“She is focused and driven; she works well independently, and also as part of a team.” In addition to her academic successes, Sam is an open water swimming regional champion and has held top 10 national rankings in swim events, as well as being captain of the college hockey team. She also volunteered as a surf lifeguard for four years and tutors other students, both in and out of school.

“She has been a great contributor to our school and to the wider community,” says Fiona.

“Sam’s future plans have a focus around working to improve access to health care, which is an admirable goal.”

Sam is going to be studying for a Bachelor of Science, majoring in medicinal chemistry and chemistry, at the University of Canterbury.

“I didn’t want to be a doctor but I was interested in the health field.

“I hope to work in a pharmaceutical research laboratory studying medicines and the effect they have on people. I want to help people and contribute to improving overall global health.”

One of four scholarships awarded to students going on to tertiary study next year, Network Tasman Trust chairperson Gwenny Davis says that the trust established the scholarships in memory of Sir Wallace Rowling, the former Prime Minister of New Zealand who was also a Network Tasman Trust chairperson and a director of Tasman Energy.

Other scholarship winners were Ella Patchett (Nelson College for Girls), Lucy Somerfield (Motueka High School) and Imogen Harris (Golden Bay High School).