THREE students from the primary, secondary and tertiary levels in Tonga became the first winners of Westpac Women's Education Grants that assists with the cost of their local education.

The Westpac Women's Grants worth a total of $1,900 was initiated by the bank to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the International Women's Day on March 8 and the first awards were presented on May 26 to the winners of an essay competition.

Three winners included two from Tongatapu and one from Vava'u wrote essays on the topic of how education will help them reach their education goals.

Applications were judged on the most original and imaginative response to the topic during an essay competition that attracted many applicants from students throughout Tonga.

Winners

The winners were Uikelotu To'ia (9) from GPS Longlongo who was awarded a $200 pa'anga grant for the primary school level; Sela Lile (13) from Saineha High School, Vava'u, $200 for the secondary school level and Fuakautu'u Audrey Lolohea (20) a student at the University of the South Pacific campus in Tongatapu received $1,500 pa'anga for the tertiary level.

The grants were awarded to Uikelotu and Audrey by Paul Wilkinson the General Manager, Westpac Bank of Tonga at the bank's main branch in Nuku'alofa, while Sela received her award in in Vava'u.

Paul said Westpac was delighted to be leading the way and to make it possible for their winners to continue their learning through the Westpac Women's Grant.

"Grants are just one way Westpac is inspiring future generations of girls and women to achieve their ambitions both personal and professional," he said.