Telford diploma student, Katelin (Kate) Perkins received a significant boost to her education last week when she became the first recipient of Telford’s new scholarship, the Telford Farm Board Diploma in Agriculture Scholarship.
Miss Perkins, who’s completing the Massey Diploma in Agriculture (DipAg) delivered at Telford, said she wasn’t sure why she was called in to the administration block - the historic Telford homestead - before classes last Thursday morning, but unbeknownst to her, TelfordFarm Board Chair, Richard Young, was waiting with Vice Chair, Kate Stanton-Herbert, to present the newly created scholarship. “It was a very pleasant surprise,” Miss Perkins said. The scholarship is for DipAg students, providing financial support to help with the costs associated with studying – course fees, accommodation, and more.
Miss Perkins said gaining the scholarship was a huge relief. “It’s taken a bit of the stress off my shoulders in terms of my accommodation costs so I can focus on my studies,” adding that she phoned her mother, Julie, immediately afterwards to share the good news. “[Mum] said that’s incredible; I’m very proud of you.”
Hailing from a small North Island town (Turakina) in the Rangitikei district, Miss Perkins discovered Telford at the local Fielding field days. “I’ve attended these my entire life.” When checking out the Telford stall, she found out about their Taster Camps. “I came down and did one. I decided this is definitely the place for me,” she said. Miss Perkins completed year 13 at her high school, Nga Tawa Diocesan, then went straight into Telford’s diploma programme this year.
And three months in, she was enjoying her studies; the DipAg was the right course for her. “I feel it’s where I need to be academically,” she said. It was expanding Miss Perkins’ knowledge, and she was discovering areas of interest. “I’m quite a big fan of pasture and crops. It looks into feed budgeting and animal needs which I’m interested in.”
Miss Perkins said she would be implementing the scholarship mainly towards her accommodation costs. To celebrate her very pleasant surprise she was planning on going into town (Balclutha) with friends and marking the occasion with a sweet treat.
Telford Farm Board Chair, Richard Young said they were delighted to award the inaugural scholarship to Miss Perkins, who ticked all the boxes. “We were looking for Diploma in Agriculture students who were above and beyond” - a ‘B’ grade average was required to show they were achieving academically, as well as other attributes, such as demonstrating commitment to the farming sector and having a good career plan in place.
“Kate is an all-round candidate who is studying hard and shows commitment back to the community.” Mr Young noted that it was important to choose someone who was active in their local community. “Telford graduates will be going back into rural communities; they need to contribute into the future to help improve those rural communities.”