Journey for life

Jurnee Jackson age 15 who won a Project K Excellence Award with mother Rochelle Marumaru, grandmother Doreen Barnett and sister Reef Thompson age 8.

Otumoetai College Year 11 student Jurnee Jackson is one of 12 winners of the Graeme Dingle Foundation Excellence Award on Tuesday night after completing a 14-month Project K course.

'It's helped me a lot with my confidence,” says Jurnee, who is a 15-year-old Otumoetai College student.

'I'm really grateful for being able to go on the course.”

After completing a Coromandel wilderness experience, Jurnee got to jump out of a plane and participate in other activities.

'On the wilderness experience, we hiked, biked and kayaked. And we had one shower in 17 days.”

When she was selected to be part of the Project K programme, Jurnee says at first she didn't want to do it. She's found a great deal has changed as a result.

'One thing that's changed is that I've changed. In me, myself, a lot. For example my confidence and the way I approach situations is a lot better, I'm more assertive. I stand up for myself now. I never used to be able to find the confidence to be able to do that. I'd always let people push me around.”

Jurnee's grandmother Doreen Barnett also noticed the change.

'Project K has helped Jurnee grow into this beautiful flower,” says Doreen.

'We had to learn to adapt to that growth. Having to let go a little bit was the hardest challenge I've ever had to face. We're so proud of her, so proud.”

'I found the course great,” says Jurnee's mother Rochelle Marumaru.

'Jurnee didn't want to go on it at first, but I encouraged her to do it, I thought it would be really cool. 'I'm so glad she made that decision to go on it because she's come out with a lot more confidence, she's built her self-esteem up and she's a confident speaker now.”

Rochelle says she found the growth in Jurnee's confidence to be quite challenging.

'It's that separating issue I think, not wanting to let go of your girl. Getting through it is a struggle, but you've just got to loosen the reins a little bit and let her flourish.”

Jurnee plans to go after her Level 2 credits next year and is thinking about either Year 13 or going on to Toi Ohomai after that. Utimately she'd like to work with youth.

The winners of the Western Bay of Plenty Graeme Dingle Foundation Excellence Awards are:

Kiwi Can award for Positive Relationships - Mata Puata-Biel

Kiwi Can award for Integrity - Benji Ngatoko

Kiwi Can award for Respect - Scott Tekotia

Kiwi Can award for Resilience - Aaliyah Cable-Reid

Kiwi Can Leader team award - Peter Tuhura and Renee Leabourn

Outstanding school award - Te kura o te Matai

Stars outstanding year 9 student - Toby Currin

Stars Peer Mentor award - Sharna Steer

Project K Excellence award - Rubi Pocock, Mount Maunganui College

Project K Excellence Award- Jurnee Jackson, Otumoetai College

The Don Young Award for Excellence in volunteering presented by Janet Young - Christine Ralph

Project K Alumni Excellence award - Ayla Dellaway

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