Award fosters studies
BY SARAH CODDINGTON
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Grace Hall of Redvale has been through some tough times but now she has a bright future ahead of her.
The Long Bay College student has been a foster child since 2005.
This is her final year at school and she has been awarded a William Wallace award to help with her studies.
Grace, 18, was given a $2000 leadership scholarship and plans to put it towards accommodation while studying at Auckland University.
She was nominated by her previous care-giver and the Dingwell Trust, an organisation that helps foster children.
Grace was described as "an exemplary student who was consistently focused and hard working".
The judging panel was impressed with Grace’s resilience and academic achievements.
Grace says becoming a foster child has made her mature a lot quicker than most teenagers.
"I have had to learn to be independent and not rely on others because they may not always be around."
She is now working part-time and is part of a team that is making a new website for the Dingwell Trust.
The website is designed to help foster children find services they need more easily.
"When I became a foster child I didn’t really know where to go, so it’s really cool."
Grace is sitting level three NCEA exams but will study a double degree in business commerce and law at Auckland University.
The awards are run by Child, Youth and Family.
- © Fairfax NZ News
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