Media release, for immediate release, Tuesday 28 August 2012

Winner of Inaugural Whakatane Youth Community Spirit Award Announced

Oliver Missen from Whakatane High School has been named as the winner of the inaugural TrustPower Whakatane District Youth Community Spirit Award.

Run in conjunction with the TrustPower Whakatane District Community Awards, the award recognises secondary school students’ service to the school and the community. The Award is jointly run by TrustPower and the Whakatane District Council.

Local high schools were asked to recommend one student to be considered for the Award. 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 Whakatane region.

Chantal Lillas of Trident High School was named as the runner-up for this youth award.

TrustPower Community Relations Coordinator Suzi Luff says Oliver is a great organiser who sees things through to the end.

“Out in the community, Oliver has helped organise a community talent show and the Summer Arts Festival. He helped out at the Hospice Charity Ball and he’s part of the Whakatane Youth Council.

Within his school, he’s been a member of and taken leading roles within Students Against Driving Drunk, Canteen and the 40 hour famine fundraising group. Oliver has also recently been announced as one of three Youth Ambassadors for World Vision and Sanitarium and he will be travelling to Papua New Guinea later this year for this role. He’s taken part in the Bay of Plenty Future Leader programme and this year he is Whakatane High’s Head Boy.

A key initiative that Oliver has helped to launch this year at his school is the Kickstart Breakfast programme. Every Thursday morning, Oliver and some fellow students give breakfast to over 100 hungry students to give them a ‘kick start’. Weetbix and milk were not enough for Oliver so he approached local businesses and is now able to offer toast, various spreads, spaghetti, hash browns and milo to these students. More and more students are attending every week, and Oliver is there bright and early after collecting the bread not long after 7am.

Oliver gives back to his school and community as they have given him so much. He likes helping to make his school and community the best they can be,” says Miss Luff.

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

The TrustPower Youth Community Spirit Award will be presented at the TrustPower Whakatane District Community Awards, being held Tuesday 28 August at Little Theatre in Whakatane, where Oliver will announce which community group will receive his $250 donation.

ENDS

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