Essay writers win $4600 cash prizes [1]
Monday, March 12, 2012 - 05:44. Updated on Monday, September 9, 2013 - 18:40.
The winners of the Westpac 2012 essay competition on the theme 'Which girl or woman, past or present inspires you and why' were awarded with $4600 cash prizes on Thursday, March 8.
The six girls who won this year's competition were two primary school students from the Vava'u Side School, Edith Vete and 'Ilisapesi Moli, were each awarded with $300 cash.
The other four winners, all from Tongatapu were awarded with the prizes by Fuakava Ilangana. In the Secondary School Level, the winners were 'Ofa Tafa and Toa Mahina 'Aisea from Tonga High School, they were awarded with $500 each. In the Tertiary Level, the winners were Linda Mokofisi and Sophia Fa'anunu from the Tupou Tertiary Institute and they were awarded with $1,500 each.
The Westpac essay competition is an annual event which started last year to mark the International Women's Day which is usually celebrated in early March, and the Westpac Bank Tonga Ltd has establish a special fund, Westpac Women’s Education Grants to finance the prizes for these essay competitions.
Paul Wilkinson, the General Manager of Westpac Tonga said it is their hope that by giving these girls and women a financial boost they at least give them an opportunity to learn and strive for an opportunity to gain meaningful employment.