The Central Lakes Trust has presented 31 tertiary education scholarships this year, more than double last year's figure.
A total of $50,000 was presented to the recipients at a function in Cromwell last night, with individual scholarships ranging in value from $1000 to $2000.
Teenagers aged from 16 to 19 who live within the trust area and are planning tertiary studies next year are eligible for the awards.
The trust introduced the scholarships in 2007 and gave out 13 that year and 15 last year.
Trust chairman Duncan Butcher said more than 80 applications were received this year and he was "highly impressed" with the calibre of applicants.
Trust chief executive Paul Allison said the number of scholarships had increased dramatically to recognise the quality of the applicants.
Entrants were judged on their future aspirations, financial need, work ethic, community involvement and academic ability.
The former president of the New Zealand Olympic Committee, Sir Eion Edgar, was guest speaker at the awards function.
Sir Eion is also a Central Lakes trustee.
Pupils and former pupils of Dunstan High School, Cromwell College, Wakatipu High School, Roxburgh Area School, John McGlashan College and Mt Aspiring College received the awards.
Recipients were: Simon Anderson (Dunstan), James Aoake (Wakatipu), Jade Bourke (Roxburgh), Nikita Brown (Dunstan), Sarah Cashen (Mt Aspiring), Anna Enright (Dunstan), McGregor Fea (Wakatipu), Elanor Gale (Dunstan), Olivia Geddes (Dunstan), Erin Gillespie (Cromwell), Chloe Hishon (Dunstan), Jacob Houston (Roxburgh), Fraser Hunter (Mt Aspiring), Gus Kerr (Dunstan), Gwyneth Key (Wakatipu), Anna Kirkwood (Wakatipu), Brie Lepper (Dunstan), Jared Lewis (Dunstan), Hannah Lumsden (Mt Aspiring), Breanna McNeill (Mt Aspiring), Carl McNulty (Dunstan), Scott Paulin (Dunstan), Leah Pihama (Mt Aspiring), Luke Robson (John McGlashan College), Olivia Smith (Dunstan), Shannon Stewart (Dunstan), Rowan Tumai (Roxburgh), Ellen Warhurst (Cromwell), Hannah Wilkinson (Wakatipu), Kate Willyams (Dunstan) and Guy Wilson (Mt Aspiring).
