2 December 2011

Crown Research Institute Scion has awarded Rotorua Girls High School student Rachelle Gordon the 2011 Scion Suffrage Centennial Scholarship.

At an awards ceremony today, Rachelle was presented with a $2,000 cheque toward her studies and a contract for summer holiday work at Scion for the duration of her undergradute degree.  

Established in 1993 to celebrate the New Zealand Suffrage Centennial, the Scion scholarship offers a special opportunity to promote young women in science. The scholarship is open to all female secondary school science students who reside in Rotorua and intend to study a science-related degree at a tertiary level.

Rachelle will undertake a Bachelor of Science degree at the University of Otago in 2012. She says being named the 2011 scholarship recipient came as a surprise and she is very grateful for the opportunity.

“I’m absolutely over the moon to be awarded the scholarship. Mum was just as excited – she was on the phone ringing all our family straight away to tell them!

“I know my talents and passion lie in science and I’m so thankful that this scholarship will provide a hands-on insight into different science roles. I can’t wait to get started.”

Amanda Popham, Scion’s HR Advisor and one of the scholarship judges, said the panel was impressed by Rachelle’s mature and proactive approach to her studies and sporting commitments, as well as her passion for science and keen desire to learn.

“We are thrilled to welcome Rachelle to the Scion team. We believe Scion will be able to play a role in introducing her to new and exciting areas of science and help shape her future career path.”

Rotorua Girls High School principal Annette Joyce said Rachelle has consistently been a high academic achiever and combined her studies with numerous extra-curricular activities. Rachelle also took a strong leadership role in the peer support programme with the junior school.

“We are all extremely proud of Rachelle for receiving the Scion Suffrage Scholarship. She is an outstanding young woman who has a great future ahead of her.”

Left to right: Di Donnelly (Deputy Principal, Rotorua Girls High School), Warren Parker (Chief Executive, Scion), Rachelle Gordon (scholarship recipient), Annette Joyce (Principal, Rotorua Girls High School).

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