Helping young Palmy locals go global
Published on 25 October 2022
Palmerston North City Council has announced the successful recipients of the Jaycee Trust Travelling Fellowship Scheme, which enables young people with potential for leadership to study or engage in special projects either overseas or within New Zealand.
Chair of the Jaycee Trust Travelling Fellowships Selection Panel, Councillor Lorna Johnson, says the Trust's Fellowship Scheme has been around for years and it continues to support passionate young people to excel and progress in their field of study or specialty, enhancing their contribution to the community.
“This year there were three successful recipients who are each in the pursuit of excellence in their chosen fields, from dancing on the world stage to working towards greater environmental sustainability.”
Historically, a maximum of $10,000 has been granted in each funding round. This year, correlating with an opening up of international travel following the pandemic, a high number of applications meeting the criteria for funding were received, and Council approved travelling fellowships of up to $20,000. All funds granted are to go towards travel costs.
The Anomaly Dance Studio group were awarded $10,000 as they met a national standard and were invited to participate in the World Supremacy Battlegrounds (WSB) 2022 Championships, in Australia. WSB is one of the most prestigious and longest running street dance competitions in the Southern Hemisphere.
The group is made up of students Brylee Stewart, Ella Henson, Kiana Sayer, Sophie Hunter, Tia Wallace, Macy Cribb, Bonnie Duff-Edwards, and their teacher, Sydney Pelman.
Councillor Johnson says the group hoped to gain skills and knowledge to assist in their development and to increase the level of dance within the community and wider region.
“Heading over to the championships was a prime opportunity for the group to compete internationally and be critiqued by internationally recognised judges and artists, a first for all.”
While the Anomaly Dance Studio groups have already received their grant, the two other successful recipients will be receiving theirs early next year.
Isabella Patrick will be receiving $5,000 to go towards the travel costs involved in the completion of her practicum course with the World Health Organisation and Caritas in Panama. She’ll also be participating in fieldwork in Costa Rica, for her research project relating to green tourism bonds.
Felicia Aull will also be granted $5,000 towards travel costs associated with the completion of an internship with a sustainability organisation in Colombia. This will enable Ms Aull to assist developing/Global South communities in their progress towards meeting sustainable development goals.
Councillor Johnson says all of the recipients are expected to report back to the selection panel.
“Once the recipients have completed their projects, they will be required to report back to the Selection Panel. We’ll then be uploading these reports to our website.”
The next opportunity to apply for funding will be mid-2023. Applicants will need to meet set criteria, provide supporting documentation and more than likely appear before the selection panel.
The Council extends its grateful thanks to Jo Hazlitt and Makaela Jones for their participation on the Jaycee Trust Travelling Fellowships Selection Panel over the last three years.