JOSHUA Simons will be the first in his family to attend university Photo supplied
Joshua Simons will be the first in his immediate family to attend university.
The Lines Company scholarship winner will begin a Bachelor of Health Sciences and Law at Auckland University next year.
He’s hoping to be accepted to study medicine at the end of his first year but says he would be happy working in any health field, such as administration.
Josh told King Country News he “absolutely” saw himself returning to this rohe.
“I am well aware this is an area which needs as many hands as possible.”
He said the rural sector was in dire need of professionals with these skills.
“To come back home with an education not only opens metaphorical doors in life, enabling me to achieve great things, but allows the use of my skills in a meaningful way to alleviate issues within rural health outcomes.”
He said the financial assistance from The Lines Company was a welcome contribution to relieving the burden of tertiary study.
“Financial assistance in any form is exceptional in lessening the weight of tertiary study, let alone something as huge as what The Lines Company has given me.
“It has been a massive weight lifted off both mine and my family’s shoulders.
“It is something I am exceptionally grateful for. As the first person in my family to attend university, this is an extremely exciting time for them and I.”
Both his parents have always stressed the importance of education.
His father had wanted to study botany but had a hard time at school because of dyslexia and was turned away from higher education. He made a life as a self-employed carpenter but always regretted not going to university and wanted to make sure his son had the opportunity.
Josh’s mother, an immigrant from China, works as a motel manager and cleaner. She also wants her son to have access to the life pathways that came with tertiary study.
Josh is grateful that his school has also supported him on his “I have had a great educational journey over the past five years at Ruapehu College, learning and challenging myself within the various sectors of academia, sporting and leadership,” he said.
“Despite its stature as a small, low-decile school, the school has provided me with so much.
“And I truly do believe that regardless of one’s predisposed issues or hurdles posed in life, with the good old-fashioned virtues of hard work and perseverance, these can easily be overcome – in part with assistance from incredible scholarships, such as the one I have been fortunate enough to earn.”
