Golden Key is happy to introduce Michelle Hay, one of Golden Key’s 2021 Undergrad Achievement Award winners. Michelle graduated with a Spanish major and double minor in Linguistics and English Literature, as well as a Certificate of Arts in Māori and Indigenous Studies from the University of Canterbury in November of 2021. In addition, she has just begun a Graduate Diploma in Secondary School Teaching program through the College of Education at UC.

“Winning this award has been the most amazing way to finish up my degree,” Michelle says. “It has really given me a sense of achievement and boosted my confidence before I head into my post-graduate study and beyond. Kia ora, and thank you so much, Golden Key!”

Michelle would like to pursue teaching upon completing her degree.

“I would like to work with languages and education, either teaching high school Spanish, English Literature, or ESOL,” Michelle explains. “I’m also really interested in student services and working with international students, such as mentoring, event planning, and creating communities. I’d love to encourage and inspire students to understand and embrace different cultural contexts and environments, as well as promote Aotearoa New Zealand on the global scale and strengthen mutual goodwill relationships and connections.”

Michelle advises fellow Golden Key members to stay involved in their communities.

“Get involved in your community, find a good work/life/study balance, believe in yourself, and never ever give up!” Michelle shares.

This scholarship has helped Michelle both financially and personally.

“This scholarship has helped me to believe in myself more and has given me more confidence to move into my post-graduate study and beyond,” Michelle explains. “It helped me to buy a car, which I will need once I start going out on my teaching placements this year as well as when I start working next year.”

Michelle would like to thank “the whole team at the UC Spanish Department, UC Student Experience team, UC Academic Skills Centre staff, and all my friends and family who have supported me along the way.”

Thank you for being a part of the Golden Key family, Michelle; we wish you the best of luck on your post-graduate degree!

Golden Key is happy to introduce Trevor Engling, one of Golden Key’s 2021 Undergrad Achievement Award winners. Trevor is a graduate student in the MSEd of Educational Leadership at the University of Southern Mississippi, set to graduate in the spring of 2023. He earned his BA in History and his Teaching and Athletic Coaching certificates in the spring of 2021.

“I was very excited to hear that I was awarded this scholarship,” Trevor says. “For me, this scholarship, along with all of the others that I have received during my educational career, means that all of my hard efforts in and out of the classroom are paying off. It also means that I have the ability to ease the stressors of the financial issues that my wife and I may end up with in the near future from starting a family, buying a home, and other expenses.”

Trevor plans to use his scholarship to reduce the financial burden of student loans.

“This scholarship helps me to be financially independent of loans while achieving my academic goals,” Trevor explains. “I am using this scholarship to help finish school as well as put some of it towards the downpayment for my wife and I’s wedding venue.”

Trevor plans to teach upon completing his degree.

“I am hoping to either teach high school social studies or possibly teach collegiately,” Trevor reveals.

Trevor advises new members to continue to apply for scholarships.

“I would tell them to apply for as many scholarships as possible so as not to be too stressed by finances to focus on being a student,” Trevor shares.

Trevor is thankful to Golden Key and his wife for supporting him.

“[I would like to thank] GK for believing that I deserved this, as well as my wife for believing in me especially when I didn’t believe in myself,” Trevor mentions.

Thank you for being a part of the Golden Key family, Trevor; we wish you the best of luck on your Educational Leadership degree!