Two scholarships awarded to inspiring Northland law students

Two inspiring Northland teenagers have received a significant step up on their journey to study at university, each winning a WRMK Lawyers Scholarship.

Kerikeri High School Prefect Grace Sheldon was named as the winner of the WRMK Lawyers Law Scholarship at the School’s prizegiving in November.

The Law Scholarship is to support an aspiring law student who has demonstrated academic ability and leadership, but is facing significant financial need or has life circumstances that present barriers to studying at university. Grace will benefit from a $10,000 cash contribution, guaranteed paid work experience after her second year of study, and a mentor from WRMK.

“In our second year offering scholarships, we have again had an excellent response to our call for applications. Grace’s drive to succeed and her involvement in the community stood out, and we are delighted to be able to help support her through her studies,” says WRMK Managing Director Wayne McKean.

WRMK’s General Scholarship was awarded to Bay of Islands College student Danielle Tana. Danielle will receive a $3,000 cash contribution towards her social work degree.

“We were so impressed by Danielle’s attitude towards succeeding in life, and we are delighted to help support her through her studies. Danielle’s strong desire to help others shone through during the application process, and attaining her qualifications will help her one day to make a significant impact on Northland’s communities,” says McKean.

“He aha te mea nui o te ao, He tangata, he tangata, he tangata. I have no doubt that the most important thing in the world is the people. I aspire to become a Lawyer so that I can truly make a change in our world that will be sustained for future generations to come. I strive to improve our community in any way possible and I believe it starts with he tangata, he tangata, he tangata. I am full of excitement and gratitude for WRMK Lawyers for their support of me and my journey to create this change. I am so proud to be a recipient of this scholarship because of my admiration for WRMK’s community initiative. I am delighted to start my journey in law and am so grateful to do so with the support of WRMK,” says Grace.

“I have learned to be real to who you are, and create the life you want. Explore the world, travel, create opportunities and take risks. Make yourself proud and create your own expectations. This is your life not anyone else’s, so do what makes you happy! I have been given the opportunity of $3,000 from WRMK towards my social work degree and what a privilege it was meeting them and having them be part of this part of my journey. As Sir James Henare says, ‘Kua tawhiti ke to Haerenga mai, Kia kore w haere tonu. He tino nui rawa ou mahi, Kia kore e mahi nui tonu’; ‘You have come too far, not to go further. You have done too much, not to do more.’”, says Danielle.

WRMK’s scholarship programme is now in its second year, and forms part of WRMK’s Community Strategy, of which two main areas of focus are youth and education, and helping families fighting cancer. This year, the firm decided to offer one law scholarship, and one general scholarship.