2010 will be the third year inwhich two speech students from Rotorua who have completed their Grade 8examinations will be awarded a scholarship to cover the cost of their Associateof Speech NZ examinations. So what has happened to the scholarship recipientsof 2008 and 2009? 

Elizabeth Marvelly

Elizabethwas awarded one of the first two Geyser/Speech NZ scholarships in 2008. DuringSeptember and October 2009 she was the guest-star at Paul Potts shows in 28cities across the UK and Europe. She performed at the Hong Kong premiere of theNicole Kidman movie Golden Compass and on TVNZ’s Dancing with the Stars. She has an international recording contract with EMI Classics. She started playingthe piano at four, and when she was 13 her parents drove her the three hours to Auckland every weekend for singing lessons. In her last year of school she achieved straight A grades at herCambridge University Entrance exams, with an average of 93%. She has nowcompleted the seven modules of the Associate of Speech NZ examinations withdistinction. Click on www.elizabethmarvelly.comto hear her singing.

Ashleigh van den Akker

Since receiving the Geyser/Speech NZ scholarship in2008, Ashleigh completed her Associate of Speech NZ examinations and has movedon to Licentiate of Speech NZ in Speech and Drama. She is currently in her finalyear of Bachelor of Arts in English and Theatre at the University of Canterburyand has been invited to do an Honours degree in English next year. When theGeyser scholarship brought her to the attention of the Trustees of Speech NZ,she was invited to become a Trustee – the youngest member of the Board by far. Shesays: “I am privileged to give my time and opinions to the Board where I amlearning valuable tools for study, examining and my own teaching in the future.The Geyser Community Foundation award encouraged me to continue with my studyin Speech and Drama, giving me the opportunity to take my learning that onestep further. I will always be truly grateful for their support.”

Matthew McMenamin

Matthew received his scholarshipin 2009 and has completed two of the theory examinations for the Associate ofSpeech NZ with distinction. He is now preparing for the three practical modulesby teaching a group of students each week in addition to his personal practice.He says: “The scholarship was invaluable as it allowed me to sit the Associateexams. This has developed both my practical abilities and understanding of thetheoretical side of performance and teaching.” Matthew’s plans for the next fewyears are to complete LLB/BA at Victoria University and to continue with speechand drama, perhaps through teaching or getting involved in the theatre inWellington. Studying law has made him realise how crucial it is to bepassionate about something outside of your degree structure and for him speechand drama fill this role really well.

Alex Keyte Beattie

Alex,who also received a scholarship in 2009, is studying towards conjoint Bachelorof Science and Bachelor of Arts degrees at the University of Waikato, majoringin Environmental Science and Geography. She is working towards the firstcredits of a Diploma in Speech and Drama Teaching, which she hopes to completein late 2011. She says: “I hope to be able to use my speech and drama trainingin my science career to increase awareness of environmental issues and tomotivate people to adjust their ways of thinking and help New Zealand movetowards a cleaner, more sustainable future.”