The trust gave out $50,000 in scholarships - the same figure it donated last year.
Teenagers aged between 16 and 19 from within the trust area who were planning tertiary studies next year were eligible for the awards, which were introduced by the trust in 2007.
More than 100 applications were received this year and the calibre of applicants was exceptionally high, trust chief executive Paul Allison said.
"This made the final decision process for the interview panel a particularly challenging one."
The selection was based on the applicants' future plans, financial need, work ethic, community involvement and academic ability.
The guest speakers at the awards function in Cromwell were trust chairman Sir Eion Edgar, of Queenstown, and trustee Liz Duggan, of Alexandra.
Scholarship recipients were: Breiana Bennetts and Jamiela Jeffery (Roxburgh Area School), Alice Finch, Sam Flannery, Danny Garry, Hailee McDonald, Joshua Thom, Jessica Ward and Rosie Whiting (Dunstan High School), Sophie Gregg, Cory Johnson, Annalise Matthews, Suzannah Schwarz, Thomas Sherson and Emma Simpson (Mt Aspiring College), Kenzie Jackson and Margot Streeter (Cromwell College), Sigourney Kelly, Laura MacKay and Laura Pedofsky (St Hilda's Collegiate School), Chris Markham, Cheyenne Rogers, Russell Stirling and Jessica van der Kaag (Wakatipu High School) and Holly Sinclair (Columba College).
