Youth recognised at awards night

Outstanding young people from around the Taupo District have been recognised at the 2016 District Youth Awards.

The winner of the overall outstanding achiever award was Taupo-nui-a-tia College head boy Kynan Harrison. As well as taking away the top award he also won the award for participation in team sports over the past year.

Kynan's nomination showcased his commitment to hockey and his participation in four different teams, including one that travelled to the United States to take part in the California Cup hockey tournament. He was vice-captain of the Bay of Plenty Under 18 men's team that won gold at the national tournament - the first time in the club's history.

Winners in three age groups over four categories - sports, leadership/innovation, academic and arts - were announced at last week's awards night. Parents, friends, school teachers, coaches and club or organisation leaders could nominate young people they thought exceled in any of these areas.

Other winners on the night were Jared Chaytor, Siobhan Chaytor, Grace Davies, Emily Hart, Alec Goaddard, Sinead Hastings, Marijn Lenoir, Campbell Maclean, Case Mastny-Jensen, Oliver Monkman, Kirimaene Palmer, Hetal Patel, Akira Petersen, Missy Rika, Ben Simmons, Regan Standen, Te Ao O Terangi Thompson and Blake Woodfield.