First Recipient Of Dame Pat Evison Scholarship

Media release 18 April 2008

First Recipient Of Dame Pat Evison Scholarship Announced

Starting at university this year was made easier for Auckland teenager, Jade Turrall (18), who was selected as the first recipient of the Dame Pat Evison Scholarship.

Jade was thrilled to learn from Foundation for Youth Development (FYD) that she will receive $5000 towards her studies in 2008.

The scholarship was established last year, when Dame Pat Evison gifted $50,000 to FYD to create a scholarship for a Project K or Stars graduate to study drama. FYD then matched that sum to create the annual $5,000 scholarship, which covers a students study fees for one year or more.

Jade graduated from Project K, a FYD programme for 14 -15-year-olds in 2005 and says the experience helped her get to where she is today, accepted as the youngest student ever to Toi Whakaari - New Zealand Drama School.

Graeme Dingle co-founder of FYD says: "we are absolutely delighted to award the Dame Pat Evison Scholarship to Jade as the first recipient. She has demonstrated a determination and motivation to succeed that is far beyond her years and serves as a shining example of what young New Zealanders can achieve given the right opportunities."

With a strong passion for performing arts and particularly directing, Jade is in her first year of a Bachelor of Performing Arts in Management and later hopes to complete a Masters in Directing at Toi Whakaari.

Jade says: "having this scholarship has assisted me in a way that is enabling me to achieve my dream, which I will be forever thankful for."

Applications from Project K and Stars graduates for the Dame Pat Evison scholarship in 2009 will close on October 31, 2008.

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Biography - Jade Turrall

Jade Turrall (18), a Project K North Shore Graduate in 2005, is the first recipient of the Foundation for Youth Development Dame Pat Evison Scholarship and has received $5000 towards her studies in 2008.

The Dame Pat Evison Scholarship is open to any graduate of Project K or Stars who is a New Zealand Citizen or permanent resident, who wishes to study drama and covers their study fees for one year or more.

Still only young, Jade has an extensive and long history with drama and has always loved acting and theatre from a very young age.

Jade attended Birkenhead College from 2003 to 2007 and in her time there she built up an impressive CV. Some of her achievements include being selected as the Assistant Director for her annual school production resulting in an Arts Award for Excellence in Assistant Directing and the School Production Trophy, an Arts Award for Excellence in Creative Textile Arts and she also held a photo exhibition at the Devonport Depot Art Gallery.

Jade thrived in the Assistant Director role at school and realised that her passion for directing suited her organisational capabilities and creative skills and, following this passion, she has decided to continue study in this area. As the youngest student ever accepted to Toi Whakaari New Zealand Drama School, Jade is studying towards a Bachelor of Performing Arts in Management and later hopes to complete a Masters in Directing at Toi Whakaari.
As the first recipient of the Dame Pat Evison Scholarship, Jade is an ambitious and highly motivated young individual and has the makings of a ‘star’.

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