Wellington student Kayela Kong will receive a valuable hospitality scholarship after being selected as a joint-winner at an industry event in Sydney.
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The scholarship, made possible by the New South Wales branch of the Australian Hotels Association and the Blue Mountain International Hotel Management School, was awarded to both Kayela Kong and Ebony Ryan of North Richmond.
Both of the young women received $20,000 in order to help facilitate their chosen career path and help them afford their studies.
AHA NSW Senior Vice President Lyn Humphries provided introductions for the winners at the awards night and the awards themselves were presented by Premier Gladys Berejiklian.
“It is a sad fact many young people in the regions don’t enjoy the same kind of opportunities we here in the city can often take for granted,” Vice President Humphries said.
“But this is our chance to help redress a bit of that imbalance with the presentation of a $20,000 annual scholarship.”
“The recipient of this scholarship tonight will go on to pursue a three-year Bachelor of Business degree in International Hotel and Resorts Management,” Vice President Humphries said.
“The chance to make her career dreams come true.”
The strength and quality of the candidates nominated was highlighted as one of the reasons why the organisation couldn’t award the scholarship to just one of the entrants.
“I’m pleased to say each year the quality of our candidates goes from strength to strength – and that is reflected in the amount of extra scholarships and bursaries handed out over the last few years,” Vice President Humphries said.
“In total, over the past nine years, we have given more than $370,000 in scholarships and additional bursaries because the standard of applicants is so high.”