Graduation certificates have been presented to 13 students from ten Western Bay of Plenty secondary schools who have completed the three-day Acorn Foundation Dale Carnegie Youth Programme at the Masonic Conference Centre in Tauranga.

Thanks to the enduring generosity of Acorn donors Roy and Mary McGowan, 365 local students have now benefitted from these scholarships since 2011.

The intensive course, delivered by Dale Carnegie BOP, Waikato trainers Andrea and Michael Shaw explores Dale Carnegie’s five drivers of success: building greater self-confidence; strengthening people skills; enhancing communication; developing leadership; and reducing stress and worry.

Graduation guest speaker Bill Holland reminded students that people-skills are just as critical as technical know-how, while Hadyn Natush, Manufacturing Manager at Oasis Engineering, told the cohort that Carnegie’s human-relations and stress-management principles are “gold” for workplace success.

“I have learnt how to speak more clearly and be confident and concise when explaining my ideas,” said recipient Lia Hesqua from Acquinas College.

“Give everything a go, because you don’t know how much it will benefit you,” said Mount Maunganui College recipient, Max Kelly.

The Acorn Foundation is the community foundation for the Western Bay of Plenty. Since 2003 the foundation has distributed over $20 million to more than 300 local charities through their smarter-giving model, including $3.2 million in 2024 alone.

“By investing donor gifts and granting the returns every year, we help generous people make a lasting difference, forever,” an Acorn Foundation spokesperson said.

The 2025 scholarship winners are:

Find out more at: www.acornfoundation.org.nz