Scholarship removes financial stress

Scholarship removes financial stress

17 May 2011

The financial stress of university has been removed for Monica Schwass - the latest recipient of the Hugh Williams Ravensdown Memorial University Scholarship.

Monica, who is a Bachelor of Agricultural Science student at Lincoln University, says she was thrilled to be awarded the 2011 scholarship.

"It takes huge financial stress out of the next couple of years. Instead of chipping away at the student loan every holiday, I will be able to focus on learning more and getting myself ahead."

The annual Hugh Williams Ravensdown Memorial scholarship was established nine years ago in memory of the late Hugh Williams, who was a Ravensdown director from 1987 to 2000. It offers sons or daughters of Ravensdown shareholders $5000 a year for the duration of their studies for an agricultural or horticultural degree at Lincoln or Massey University. Scholarship recipients are also offered paid holiday work at Ravensdown.

Monica, now 19, hopes to complete her fourth year in 2013 with honours and go on to contribute to New Zealand agriculture in a variety of ways. She says initially she'd like to look at research work to "put back into an industry which I see as the basis of New Zealand's existence; an industry which is of upmost importance now and will be even more so in the future as primary products become more of a priority to consumers".

Becoming a farm consultant is a goal in the long term but as her degree evolves, Monica is open to other options within the agricultural industry.

Monica grew up in North Canterbury where her parents farm sheep and beef property, Kaiora Downs, near Culverden. The former Villa Maria College student started a Bachelor of Veterinary Science at Massey University in 2010. However, despite good marks, she changed to a Bachelor of Science majoring in agriculture after realising this was more the direction she wanted to take She moved the degree to Lincoln University this year.

The Williams family stays closely involved with the scholarship selection process and the winners. Adrienne Williams says it's pleasing to see the young talent coming through.

"Agriculture is still the backbone of this country's economy and this scholarship is a great opportunity for sons and daughters of shareholders to get a helping hand with their studies," says Mrs Williams.

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