St. John’s College student credits parents’ work ethic for prestigious award
A St. John’s College student who was named as this year’s ‘Best Asian Secondary Student’, attributes his success to his parents’ hard work.
Ishan Parmar, a Year 13 prefect, says that while his parents are naturally proud of his achievements, they have encouraged him to keep on “working hard” to achieve his goals.
The award is one of six categories at the annual Asians in the Bay Awards. Held since 2012 by Multicultural Association Hawke's Bay, the awards recognise the significant contribution made by Asian residents in the social, economic, and cultural development of the Hawkes Bay region.
Ishan says he was encouraged to apply to be considered for the award by his Deputy Principal Mr Peter Connell.
The application, which required applicants to refer to their NCEA achievements and extra-curricular activities, highlighted Ishan as a well-rounded achiever in both academic and sport.
Ishan, who acknowledges that he does well academically, has also played First XI sports in both cricket and hockey.
“It means a lot to get recognised as someone who tries their best,” says Ishan. His prize includes a plaque and a certificate.
Ishan, whose parents immigrated to New Zealand from the Punjab region in India, was born in Auckland before the family relocated to Hawke’s Bay.
Ishan says he is motivated by his parents’ strong work ethic. They now own a Four Square supermarket in Napier.
“My parents started from the bottom, and they've built their way up to put food on the plate. I just want to make sure that everyone has that equal opportunity that they did.”
Ishan wants to pursue a career in engineering when he finishes school at the end of this year and is passionate about social issues and the wider community.
He also attributes this to seeing how hard his parents’ work.
“They push me to do the best I can do so that I can be the best person I can be.”
His parents live by the philosophy and have raised him and his younger sister to believe that “the harder you work the better you'll do in life”.
Principal Rob Ferreira congratulated Ishan on his achievements.
“He has been a student that has participated in all forms of school life ever since he was in Year 9.
“He is well respected by staff and students and is a role model for all the boys in the school and certainly for Asian students in school.”
