All-round achievers honoured

ROBERT CHARLES/Manawatu Standard

WINNERS: Manawatu Southern Cross Healthcare Scholarship winners, from left: Bryan Sun, 17, from PNBHS, Samara O'Neill, 16, from QEC, Southern Cross Healthcare representative Lee Benjamin, Jaydene Meadows, 17, from Freyberg High School, Ryan Barber, 17, Feilding High School, Nicole Walker, 18, from St Peter's College, Claire Kersten, 18, from PNGHS, Tricia Manville, 18, from Longburn Adventist College, Lanheang En, 17, and Timothy Johansen, 18, from Awatapu College. Recipient Nehe Milner-Skudder from QEC is absent.

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Being a school "all-rounder" has paid off for a group of Manawatu students. Ten Manawatu high school students have received a $500 scholarship and trophy from Southern Cross Healthcare.

The scholarships encourage and reward students in academic and sporting endeavours.

Palmerston North Girls' High School Year 13 student Claire Kersten, 18, was typical of the all- rounders chosen this year.

Miss Kersten has been a Manawatu representative for swimming for the past nine years, gaining silver in the 50m breaststroke at the Youth and Open Championship this year.

She was also selected for the Western Under 21 netball team and awarded best defender at the 2007 National Secondary Schools netball tournament.

Miss Kersten was head girl, chaired the student council, was awarded honours prizes in several subjects and is an accomplished piano and saxophone player.

She intends to study health sciences at Otago University next year.

Southern Cross Healthcare Group chief executive Dr Ian McPherson said the scholarships awarded to eight schools total $20,000 over the past five years.

The students chosen are in Year 12 and 13 at Awatapu College, Longburn Adventist College, Feilding High, Freyberg High, Palmerston North Boys' High, Palmerston North Girls' High, Queen Elizabeth College and St Peters College.

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