The highly competitive Bob & Joy Owens Scholarships have been awarded for 2024 to seven college and high school students across the Western Bay of Plenty.

These awards provide a $5000 payment per annum for three years to the outstanding students selected.

On December 12, the winners were honoured at a celebration hosted by the Acorn Foundation at The Kollective, with an especially meaningful guest in attendance Olympic rower and Tauranga City Mayor Mahé Drysdale, grandson of the scholarship's founders, said a statement released following the ceremony.

"Mahé shared his grandparents' belief that a good education is important. However, whilst academic ability is important, Bob and Joy Owens were particularly interested in applicants who desire to contribute to society and make the world a better place.

"He mentioned that the Owens Scholarship panelists who assist the Acorn Foundation to select the winners each year look for an "X-factor" in each applicant they interview."

Mahé wished the scholarship recipients well and hopes to see them become future leaders.

"These award winners have shown a significant commitment to their schools and the community, with strong ideas about their future goals."

The following individuals have been awarded the 2024 Bob & Joy Owens Scholarship:

Aquinas College: Adele Arrowsmith, Bachelor of Psychology majoring in mental health principles and applications and psychological science at Victoria University of Wellington

Bethlehem College: Greta Nemedi, Bachelor of Science specialising in Biomedical Science at the University of Auckland

Mt. Maunganui College: Luca Ririnui, Bachelor of Science specialising in Biomedical Science at the University of Auckland

Otumoetai College: Sophie Hock, Bachelor of Laws at the University of Waikato

Tauranga Boys' College: Aryan Aryal, Medicine at the University of Auckland

Tauranga Girls' College: Erina Islam, Biomedical Science

Te Puke High School: Zach Wylie, Bachelor of Science majoring in Astronomy at the University of Canterbury

The entire Acorn team congratulates these fantastic students and wishes them every success as they prepare for university.