Rebekah Jenkins wins the 2020 Win Hastings Bright Futures Scholarship
Nikau Foundation is thrilled to announce the winner of the 2020 Win Hastings Bright Futures Scholarship. Displaying incredible commitment to her school and the wider community, Makoura College Year 13 student, Rebekah Jenkins, has been awarded $3000.00 to assist with accommodation and living costs as she pursues tertiary education.
Established in 2018, the Win Hastings Bright Futures Scholarship is awarded to a Year 13 student in the Wellington region who has displayed extraordinary leadership and commitment to their local community. This scholarship aims to support a young person who has displayed outstanding commitment to their chosen field and to provide a solid foundation from which they can achieve their dreams.
As Nikau Foundation Executive Director, Alice Montague says, having displayed incredible tenacity, leadership and generosity of spirit, Rebekah is a very deserving scholarship recipient. “We were thrilled to award this year’s Win Hastings scholarship to Rebekah, who has gone above and beyond to give back to her local community. We hope that with the assistance of this scholarship, Rebekah will continue to go from strength to strength during her tertiary studies,” says Alice.
A love of giving back from a young age
Throughout her time at both Primary School and Makoura College, Rebekah has held multiple leadership positions. From being elected as House Captain at her Primary School to volunteering as a guide for Makoura’s Open Night in Year 9, Rebekah displays an impressive drive to make the world a better place.
As Makoura College Deputy Principal, Dan Hrstich says, “Rebekah is a serious and earnest young woman who is capable of determined commitment in pursuit of personal and social objectives. She has been a tremendously positive and dynamic presence in our school since she started in Year 9. She is always taking the lead on activities and putting herself forward.”
Inspired by both the collective generosity of the Masterton Community and the kindness of her mother, Rebekah also hopes that her leadership will inspire younger students to follow in her footsteps. “The school and community have played a big part in my life and many others around me. I have been lucky to see not only the impact they've had on my life, but everyone else as well. They have helped us through our troubles and grow in becoming better people, leaders and getting us ready for what life throws at us - this is what inspired me to give back to the school and community any way I can” says Rebekah.
Setting a positive example
For Rebekah, the biggest benefit of giving back is the example it sets for younger students. To these students, her advice is to grab every opportunity for growth and giving. “Opportunities come up all the time. It's just about taking the first step and actually putting your hand up to do them in the first place. It is important that people grab any opportunity thrown their way because it helps open so many doors for them now and in the future.” says Rebekah.
After leaving school at the end of this year, Rebekah has plans to begin her tertiary studies at the University of Otago. Although she wishes to pursue a degree in Psychology, she mentions that “any pathway I take, the ultimate goal will be to help people in my community and to continue to give back in any way I can.”
To find out more about the Win Hastings Bright Futures Scholarship, click here.
