Wairoa students thrive in their chosen path

This year Quality Roading and Services is supporting four Wairoa students in their chosen area of study or sport. We were thrilled this month to catch up with them all.

Three of the students are 2021 Wairoa College leavers June Doyle, Hirini McIlroy and Aaron Stafford who all happen to all be studying at Victoria University and living in the same university hall. They each received a $3,000 scholarship from QRS. The fourth student is Khan Stevenson who is finishing his schooling at Napier Boys’ High School in order to further his rugby career.

QRS chief executive Jeremy Harker says the caliber of the four young men and women earned the attention and respect of QRS’s leadership team. “We’re watching these young leaders of tomorrow become adults and their stories are inspiring others to also strive.”

June Doyle is studying a Bachelor of Science in statistics and computing. The QRS scholarship has been a huge help. “It’s been a bit of a culture shock moving from Wairoa to Wellington, but I'm happy I now have another place to call home in addition to Wairoa.” This trimester June has taken papers in maths, computer science and cybersecurity. “All incredibly interesting.” She says studying for her degree takes lots of hard work and late nights but she’s excited about the years ahead.

Hirini is completing a Bachelor of Engineering (honours), majoring in software engineering. “The QRS scholarship has helped me with my monthly accommodation payments as they are pretty hefty, but it is definitely worth it for the experience,” Hirini says when he started lectures and assignments the complexity and difficulty of the work was challenging. “Now the work is still hard (it will never stop being hard) but when you hand in those assignments you feel accomplished because of how much effort you put in.” He says, “it’s an amazing feeling and it drives you to do better and anticipate the next assignment.”

Aaron is studying a Bachelor of Science with a double major in computer science, and electrical and computer systems. He used his QRS scholarship to help pay for course materials, transport, and accommodation.  “I'm glad I was able to get this scholarship as it makes life here a little bit less stressful.”

The youngest of the four students is 16-year-old Khan Stevenson who is committed to peak fitness and a future leadership role in his rugby team. Two years ago Khan, Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Whatua, earned a Ministry of Education boarding allowance to attend Napier Boys’ High School.

Standing at 185cm and weighing 75kg Stevenson is a talented openside flanker blessed with explosive speed and an innate ability to secure the loose ball. “I love rugby, it’s fun, and I don’t mind the training,” says Khan, who spent his last school holidays pumping weights and running 5km loops around the hills of Wairoa.

Khan’s parents, Kyle and Tracey say living away from home is a sacrifice Khan and they have made in order to give him his best shot at pursuing a career in rugby. “It’s about the chance for Khan to be exposed to the wider pool of talent that comes from attending a Super 8 school; and the chance to play rugby without the added pressure of travel,” adds Mr Stevenson. Khan was thrilled this year to be named in Napier Boys’ High School’s First XV.

Mr Harker thanked the students for staying in touch. “When they succeed, all of us here at QRS get to enjoy that glow. We take a little bit of pride that in a very small way we may have helped.”

8 June 2022

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