Braving ice and cold in the name of Sir Ed
1 March 2016
Ashton Ledger, Dolan Cox, Shelby Wilson, Tamsin Moala and University of Waikato staff member Tania Mallett.
Four Hillary scholars went on the journey of a lifetime, trekking in high altitudes and enduring cold temperatures through Nepal’s Khumbu Valley.
The adventure was all part of Step Higher – an award given to Sir Edmund Hillary scholars who have displayed outstanding leadership throughout the year.
As part of the programme, scholars travel to the Khumbu Valley, trek through the Himalayas, undertake humanitarian work with the schools and villages, and experience the legacy of Sir Ed by seeing the work he established with the local Nepalese communities.
Postgraduate teaching student and former swimming champion Shelby Wilson, pianist and music student Dolan Cox, film maker and screen and media student Ashton Ledger, and netball star, and soon to be graduate, Tamsin Moala were the 2015 Step Higher awardees.
"It's a great way to come full circle from being a school leaver who didn't know much, to going out to make a real difference in the world," says Dolan.
Before heading to Nepal, scholars had to fundraise $1000 each for the Himalayan Trust.
The Step Higher Award is sponsored by the Compass Group. Through their support, each scholar’s travel and accommodation are covered for the three week trip.