Winner of Taupo District Youth Spirit Award Announced

Karlee Searancke from Tauhara College was named as the winner of the TrustPower Taupo District Youth Spirit Community Award.

The Award was presented at the TrustPower Taupo District Community Awards and Classic Hits Volunteer of the Year Awards held last night, Monday 2nd of September, at the Great Lake Centre, Taupo.

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

Local high schools were asked to recommend one student to be considered for the Award. The finalists for this Award were Holly Finch from Taupo-Nui-A-Tia College and Trent Forsyth from Lake Taupo Christian School.

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 Taupo District region.

TrustPower Community Relations Coordinator Suzi Luff says Karlee is a talented young lady who has the natural instinct to give her time, talents and experience freely.

“During her time at Tauhara College, Karlee has been a junior and senior leader representing her school at key events, including awareness weeks and fundraising causes. She’s part of the peer support programme which sees her buddy up with Year 9 students to support them with their transition to college. And she’s part of the School Executive as Co-ordinator of the Careers and Gateway programme, which help to develop pathways into employment or further training.

Out in the community, for the past three years Karlee has helped out at Tauhara Primary School, supporting children with their learning. She’s an assistant teacher at the Taupo Bible Church; she visits the elderly, reading to them, doing chores and keeping them company; and she’s volunteered at Taupo Hospital with their emergency evacuation procedure.

Add to this, Karlee’s devotion to St John Youth, where to date, she has given 150 hours of community service,” says Suzi.

For winning the Award, Karlee received a trophy, a framed certificate and $250 prize money, with $250 being given to St John Youth of Taupo District.

The TrustPower Youth Community Spirit Award was presented at the TrustPower Taupo District Community Awards, last night on Monday 2nd of September.

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