Jason Beswick and his many achievements Posted by Posted by Imogen Loakman on 4 March 2016 Posted on: 4 March 2016

Jason shared his successes at the Riccarton High School Prizegiving recently.

The staff commended him on his academic achievements in several mainstream subjects including extension Maths/English and next
year Jason will be focussing on achieving more NCEA credits before he graduates.

Jason is attending CPIT and successfully completed courses in Construction and Hospitality. He has also completed work placements at Rannerdale Veteran’s Care and JB Joinery.

Jason plans to join his local Drama group next year and excelled in his end of year school production. A few ‘Tasters’ have been arranged for next year which will provide even more connections for work after graduation.

This year Jason was captain of the basketball team and participated in Tee
Ball, 10 pin bowling and swimming. He received Riccarton’s Sportsman
of the Year award, 2014.

Jason was commended for exemplifying the Riccarton Way, and also earned the General Excellence Award.

Art is another one of Jason’s gifts and he has won an award of $1000 from
the IHC Art Awards. The Art Awards is an annual competition open to all New Zealanders with intellectual disabilities, aged 13 or older.

The IHC Art Awards started in 2004 to showcase the talents of people with intellectual disabilities in New Zealand. Three judges from across the creative industries choose the top 30 artworks from three regional exhibitions. A big event night and auction is held for the finalists with cash prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd placing. 100% of the auction money raised goes directly to the artist. Jason and his parents were invited to the prize giving in Wellington, expense free.

'Face Collage' by Jason Beswick

 

Story taken from Christchurch's Enabling Good Lives Newsletter | October – November 2014