Genesis Energy and OPC’s Student vs. Wild winners announced

2 November 2012

Genesis Energy and OPC’s Student vs. Wild winners announced

$50,000 in scholarships will give seven schools “adventure of a lifetime”

Seven New Zealand secondary schools have won a share of $50,000 in Genesis Energy scholarships to the Sir Edmund Hillary Outdoor Pursuits Centre of New Zealand, after winning the 2012 Student vs. Wild competition.

Students nationwide were invited to make a video to explain how they would survive for one week stranded in their school grounds without food, shelter or assistance from the outside world. The videos were uploaded to the Student vs. Wild website and the winners decided by public voting and a judging panel from OPC and sponsor Genesis Energy.

The winning teams, announced today, have won a scholarship that covers a five-day adventure programme for 10 students at an OPC base (Tongariro or Great Barrier Island). The winning schools are:

• Huanui College, Northland
• Kaipara College, Auckland Region
• Katikati College, Bay of Plenty
• Matamata College, Waikato
• New Plymouth Boys’ High School, Taranaki
• Opunake High School, Taranaki
• Fiordland College, Southland

“The videos the winning students put together were a tribute to young Kiwi ingenuity,” said Genesis Energy Chief Executive Albert Brantley.

“We’re delighted to be able to reward the best of the entries with the chance to attend OPC where they will be stretched both mentally and physically and at the same time learn some real survival skills.”

OPC chief executive officer Graham Seatter said “Even though OPC strives to keep its costs down, with support from sponsors such as Genesis Energy, we know it can be tough for some communities to fundraise to cover the remaining costs.

“This initiative gives 70 Kiwi teenagers the chance to challenge themselves in the great outdoors. For many of these students, the OPC programme will be a life-changing experience.”

The winning videos can be viewed at www.studentvswild.co.nz.

The Sir Edmund Hillary Outdoor Pursuits Centre of New Zealand has been built on the legacy of Sir Ed and Graeme Dingle nearly 40 years ago. Education is still being valued as OPC’s primary benefit during the rich outdoor learning experiences:

Contributing positively to the life journey of young people through adventure and rich outdoor learning experiences that develop care and respect for self, others and place, in the spirit of Sir Edmund Hillary.

OPC’s school programmes are about ‘seeking summits’ on many levels. OPC develops tomorrow’s leaders by building spirit, a strong sense of group unity, camaraderie and valuable socials skills that last a lifetime in unique and unspoiled New Zealand settings.

Programmes take place at OPC centres in Tongariro and Great Barrier Island, as well as nationwide events including the Genesis Energy Hillary Challenge for senior students (year 12 and 13), the YouthTown Get2Go for junior students (year 9 and 10), and NavQuest for all secondary school level students, their families and interested public.

www.opc.org.nz

ENDS

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