Dale Carnegie Youth Scholarship Graduation 2025
A Milestone Graduation for Western Bay Rangatahi
On Thursday 26 June, whānau, teachers and supporters filled Tauranga’s Masonic Conference Centre to applaud twenty-two Year 13 students representing ten Western Bay of Plenty secondary schools. After three intensive days of training, each student stepped across the stage to receive a Dale Carnegie graduation certificate, adding their names to a roll that now numbers 365 local recipients since 2011, thanks to the enduring generosity of Roy and Mary McGowan.
Three Days, Five Drivers: Inside the Dale Carnegie Course
The course, delivered by Dale Carnegie BOP–Waikato trainers Andrea and Michael Shaw, ran from 24 to 26 June, each day. Students immersed themselves in Dale Carnegie’s five drivers of success, building self-confidence, strengthening people skills, enhancing communication, developing leadership and reducing stress, and were encouraged to put new techniques into practice immediately.
Guest Wisdom: Insights from Local Leaders
Guest speakers brought those lessons to life. Manufacturing manager Hadyn Natush from Oasis Engineering spent an afternoon fielding sharp questions about workplace expectations, telling the cohort that Dale Carnegie’s human-relations and stress-management principles are “absolute gold”.
At the graduation ceremony, long-time community leader Bill Holland reminded everyone that technical know-how will only take you so far; it is strong people skills that unlock real potential. Each rangatahi then faced the audience, something many had once dreaded, and delivered a confident speech outlining their greatest takeaway and future goals.
Confidence in Their Own Words
Their own words capture the programme’s impact best. “I’ve learnt how to speak more clearly and be confident and concise when explaining my ideas,” said Lia of Aquinas College. Max from Mt Maunganui College urged others to “give everything a go, because you don’t know how much it will benefit you,” while Saffron of Tauranga Girls’ College described the supportive environment: “Just go full in, everyone’s in the same boat and judgement is left at the door, so put the most in to get the most out.”
Building Futures: Acorn’s Enduring Commitment
At Acorn Foundation we believe our region thrives when young people have the confidence and skills to lead. By investing donor gifts and distributing the returns every year, we create opportunities, like the Dale Carnegie Youth Programme, that make a lasting difference.
How to apply
Year 13 students in the Western Bay simply tell their dean or careers adviser they’d like one of the school’s two scholarship nominations (deadline mid-February 2026). Successful applicants are confirmed in April for the three-day Dale Carnegie course in late June.
Questions? Email Jo at info@acornfoundation.org.nz or call 07 579 9839.