Award recipients: Sir Edmund Hillary Scholars and Step Higher Award winners Alex Hitchmough (left), Josh Blue and Caitlin Easter with Michelle Jordan-Tong, the University’s Head of Student and Academic Services and Compass Group’s Rod de Vries.
Three University of Waikato Sir Edmund Hillary scholars have been selected to go to Nepal to see some of the work Sir Ed did for the people there, do some work themselves and, weather permitting, trek to Everest base camp.
Step Higher Award
Alex Hitchmough, Joshua Blue and Caitlin Easter are recipients of the Step Higher Award, sponsored by the Compass Group. They’ll have three weeks in the region, most of the time in the Khumbu Valley where they’ll be teaching English and working on community projects.
The trio are all senior students and high achievers. Hillary Scholars have their course fees paid, receive training and mentoring in their chosen sport or performing art, and have leadership training throughout their time at university.
Alex Hitchmough
Alex Hitchmough is completing her Postgraduate Diploma in Political Science after doing a Bachelor of Social Science (Hons) in geography and says she applied for the award for two reasons. “First, I’m big on community development and would ultimately like to work for the United Nations, so this seemed like a good opportunity to get some experience in a new and very different location from what I’m used to. Second, I’ve gained so much from being a Hillary Scholar, I thought this would be a chance to give something back.”
Alex, a dancer and choreographer, says she’ll be working on her fitness for high-altitude living and she’s borrowed a Lonely Planet from the library to prepare for the trip.
Josh Blue
Josh Blue, rugby player and soon-to-be-lawyer says he’s looking forward to seeing Sir Ed’s work first hand. Like Alex, Nepal will be a new experience for him. “As soon as I heard about the award, I knew I had to apply. It will be a challenge; it’ll take me out of my comfort zone. It'd be good to get to know some of the kids in the schools and perhaps take a couple of rugby balls over to have a throw around and leave for them to keep.”
Josh is doing his honours year for a BSocSci/LLB.
Caitlin Easter
Netballer Caitlin Easter is a first year clinical psychology student in the three-year Clinical Psychology programme. She’s also studying toward her Masters of Social Science which is focusing on a sports psychology topic. She’s already completed a Bachelor of Social Sciences and a Postgraduate Diploma in Psychology. She took time out from sport last year to have reconstructive surgery on both ankles, but is now back playing for the Phoenix Club premier team.
“I’m so grateful for this opportunity to go to Nepal. I hope to take away some valuable skills that I can bring home and apply to my career as a clinical psychologist. I’m really looking forward to being exposed to a new culture and to see the full extent of Sir Ed’s influence on the Khumbu region.”
Planning for the trip
The three students know each other well - they all started their Sir Edmund Hillary Scholarship the same year –and will be getting together shortly to discuss dates and preparation for the trip.
Compass Group
Their sponsor, Compass Group, provides the catering services at the university halls of residence. General Manager Operations at Compass NZ Rod de Vries says they chose to make the Step Higher Award to support the university and add to what is already an outstanding programme for hardworking and talented scholars. The scholarships cover travel, accommodation and a daily allowance for up to three weeks.