Stratford teenager Tayla Johnston beat a strong group of competitors for the top prize of 'Overall Merit Award' at Blue Light Life Skills Camp held at the New Zealand Defence Force base in Wellington.
Blue Light life skills co-ordinator Valerie Tiatia-Seath says that Tayla was up against an impressive group of young people from the central and lower North Island during the week-long residential course.
"Staff felt that Tayla had significant and consistent improvement in attitude, self-discipline, self-confidence, teamwork and was always respectful to staff and fellow course members."
The programme is run by New Zealand Blue Light in partnership with the NZ Police and NZ Defence Force. The programme provides 14-17 year olds with a residential-based course delivering quality life skills and leadership training.
The programme specialises in building self-respect, respect for others, and working within boundaries, self-care, team work and problem solving.