The Tereora College Princess Anne Hall was filled to capacity with proud parents and families as they gathered for the school’s senior prize-giving event yesterday.

Ayen Mae Montagot was awarded the prestigious Tereora College top scholar Dux title this year.

“I feel very happy that my hard work has borne fruit,” said Montagot, who also encouraged upcoming Year 13 students to “have a plan for their studies”.

Montagot, who won the Dux award at Nukutere College in 2021, joined Tereora College for Year 12 and 13 studies.

She plans to study accounting at university in Aotearoa New Zealand next year.

The Top Scholar Proxime Accessit award was presented to Esther Miller.

Rakiki Brown, the top tourism student, was awarded the Cook Islands Tourism Leadership Programme scholarship, supported and partnered with Air New Zealand and Pacific Resort Hotel Group. Kubethreana Taripo was also selected for this scholarship.

Tereora College student Kubethreana Taripo and her aunty Ombudsman, Niki Rattle (left), her proud mother Curly Hosking Taripo and aunty Elizabeth Tou. SUPPLIED/23111731

Each scholarship is valued at approximately $25,000, for a total value of $50,000.

The scholarship offers Brown and Taripo the unique opportunity to develop their leadership skills and industry knowledge to carve a career path in tourism when they begin their studies next year in New Zealand (January – July 2024).

Taripo expressed her gratitude for being selected for the award and her excitement about studying overseas next year.

She is thankful to her parents, Curly and William Taripo, and her extended family, who encouraged her to apply for the course.

Taripo urges upcoming Year 13 students to study to their best and strive for excellence.

The Tereora College Senior Prize Giving Awards recipients are as follows:

The Toki Award - Pekaroa Pirangi and Karaka Olliver-Teinakirahi, Office of the Prime Ministers Award for the Top Pa Enua Student - Teremoana Tere, The KPMG Award for Business Student of the Year - Esther Miller, The CIIC Most Outstanding Student in Academies/ Technology & Mathematics Award - Isabel James, The Vodafone Excellence in Science & Technology Award - Isabel James, Excellence in the Languages Award sponsored by Avarua Bakery - Sally Matunga, The Cook Islands Motor Centre Award for Excellence in Mathematics Award - Melani Thomson, Most Outstanding Student in Level 1 Mathematics & Science - Kimiora Vogel, Most Outstanding Student in Level 2 Mathematics & Physics - Moulik Kumar, Most Outstanding Student in Level 3 Calculus & Physics - Ayen Mae Montagot, Most Pre-eminent Student Leader Award - Kubethreana Taripo, Principal’s Award - Johnny Herman.

Attending the Tereora College prize giving awards: Addrienne Hosking Tinirau, the Air New Zealand in country manager (left), Tereora College students Rakiki Brown and Kubethreana Taripo, and Karla Eggelton, the Cook Islands Tourism CEO. CIs TOURISM/23111734

Year 11: Tangata Tiratira Tu Award - Rupert Arona; Top Scholar Awards 6th Overall in Level 1 - Jeremiah Kaimarama, 5th Overall in Level 1 - Reva Hunter, 4th Overall in Level 1 - Moeana Mitchell, 3rd Overall in Level 1 - Anne Browne, 2nd Overall in Level 1 - Te Atawhai Chase, 1st Overall in Level 1 - Kimiora Vogel.

Year 12:  Tangata Tiratira Tu Award - Eitiare Watson; Top Scholar Awards 6th Overall in Level 2 Katee Wearing, 5th Overall in Level 2 - Dreena Willie Teapa, 4th Overall in Level 2 - Stanley Tutai, 3rd Overall in Level 2 - Temuna Jacob, 2nd Overall in Level 2 - Maya Postrzygacz, 1st Overall in Level 2 - Moulik Kumar.

Year 13: Tangata Tiratira Tu Award - Tony Robert; Top Scholar Awards 6th Overall in Level 3 - Athina Karika, 5th Overall in Level 3 - Tamarua Pureau-Pukeiti, 4th Overall in Level 3 - Sally Matunga, 3rd Overall in Level 3 - Teoumate Jacob.