Western BOP Youth Community Spirit Award Announced

Winner Of Western Bay Of Plenty Youth Community Spirit Award Announced

Luke Stevenson from Te Puke High School has been named as the winner of the TrustPower Western Bay of Plenty Youth Community Spirit Award.

Run in conjunction with the TrustPower Western Bay of Plenty Community Awards, the TrustPower Youth Community Spirit Award recognises secondary school students' service to the school and the community. The Award is jointly run by TrustPower and the Western Bay of Plenty District Council.

Local high schools were asked to recommend one student to be considered for the Award. The runner-up for this award is Jordan Godfrey of Katikati College.

To be considered for the TrustPower Youth Community Spirit Award students had to have given service to school or community projects, treated others with care and respect and been a good ambassador for the school and the Tararua region.

TrustPower Community Relations Representative Suzi Luff says Luke is a motivated and active student who is passionate about helping people.

"Luke impressed the judges with his generosity of his time and skills and his willingness to get involved in helping people and causes.

Within his school, Luke is chair of the Enviro Committee and Careers Committee and a member of the Safe Committee and Performing Arts Committee which is a huge passion for him. He's known as a productive member and organiser of these committees as well as being a peer mediator and trainer in his school.

In the community, Luke is involved with the youth group at Orchard Church as a leader and he volunteers his filming, sound and lighting skills for funerals and weddings.

Luke's reach goes further than his district, with helping to organise fundraisers for Mexico and travelling to Fiji as an ambassador.

Luke is an effective leader, team member, worker, chairperson and organiser. He is a great ambassador for his school and the Western Bay of Plenty district" says Miss Luff.

For winning the Award, Luke will receive a framed certificate and $500 prize money, with $250 going to Luke personally and $250 being given to a community group of his choice.

The TrustPower Youth Community Spirit Award will be presented at the TrustPower Western Bay of Plenty Community Awards, being held tonight, Monday 27 June, when Luke will announce which community group will receive his $250 donation.

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