Choosing to succeed

Violet Steed (18) holds her Child, Youth and Family William Wallace Award in her Dunedin flat...
Violet Steed (18) holds her Child, Youth and Family William Wallace Award in her Dunedin flat yesterday. Photo by Linda Robertson.
A Dunedin teenager who spent her childhood in and out of foster care does not consider herself a role model despite winning an award for achieving greatness.

Violet Steed (18), of Dunedin, was one of 19 young people who had overcome tough beginnings to achieve in their chosen field and win a Child, Youth and Family (CYF) William Wallace Award in Wellington this month.

She won a $3000 tertiary award to put towards her costs of studying first year health science at University of Otago next year.

She had enrolled for nine papers instead of the seven papers required.

The former Bayfield High School pupil said when it came to study, she was a perfectionist.

''I like it. It is something that keeps my mind off stuff. I've always been good at doing my homework and researching.''

She was nominated for the award by her CYF social worker and her former boyfriend's mother, whom she lived with for two years, wrote a ''really nice'' reference for her nomination.

It was her final year of being under the ''blanket of CYF care'' and it would be missed, she said.

''Whenever something troubles me, it is nice to have my social worker to go to as a sounding board.''

She admitted there were times maintaining her focus for study was a challenge.

''Everyone goes through their naughty phase because you switch homes so much - it gets quite confusing - and I didn't like rules because I didn't know the people, but now I definitely respect everyone who looked after me.''

The awards namesake, William Wallace, who died in Australia in 1989, left a bequest for CYF to help nurture young people in care to help them develop their potential.

-shawn.mcavinue@odt.co.nz

Add a Comment

 

Advertisement