Adelaide Walker-Komene (19) is a second year student at Victoria University Wellington, where she is studying architecture. She aims to complete a Masters degree in the subject, which has fascinated her since childhood.
“As a young Maori wahine, I choose integrity as a precious quality. I aim to be a good role model for the younger generations and to create a better future – not only for myself but for my family.”
Adelaide (Ngati Porou, Te Whanau a Apanui, Te Aitanga a Hauiti) was raised in Tolaga Bay. She is one of four children, raised by her mother alone. “As a young Maori wahine, I choose integrity as a precious quality. I aim to be a good role model for the younger generations [and] to create a better future – not only for myself but for my family,” she says. Adelaide is the first in her family to attend university.
● How did you first find out about Keystone?
“My careers advisor at Lytton High School in Gisborne, Mr [Craig] Wilkie, was struggling to find scholarships for the degree I wanted to do. And then he was, like, ‘here, Adelaide, I’ve found the scholarship for you.’ He said: ‘please apply. It would be very good for you’.”
● What was the most challenging aspect of the interview process?
“I’d had no experience of that sort of scenario. At first, I was really nervous about being present and speaking in front of the entire panel. However, Mr Wilkie, my dean and one other teacher had helped prepare me. So when I was in front of the panel, and once they started asking questions, I felt more ready and confident.”
● What have you learned about Keystone that you didn’t know before being awarded a Scholarship?
“Keystone are really supportive, and they want you to succeed. I get buddies and mentors to help me succeed – including Louisa Devoti [a Keystone 2024 scholar]. Louisa is also studying architecture at Vic and she was my buddy in my first year. She gave me little tips, but those were a big help with my assignments. The networking – making new connections and learning from architects – also helps.”
● What difference has the scholarship made to your studies?
“Getting a Keystone scholarship has made me able to go to university. That was the only direction I wanted to go after school – but I would not have been able to go otherwise. Now I don’t have to worry about money: I can just focus entirely on my studies, which I’m very much enjoying.”
● What personal talent do you have that Keystone may not know about?
“I’ve been riding horses my entire life. It’s a family thing to go hunting on them, or to take part in horse sports up the East Coast. Sometimes, we go on overnight treks. I have my own horse – he’s called Sundance – but now I’m living in a student hall in Wellington, I can only ride him when I go home.”
● Have you worked with, or are you currently working with, a sponsor company?
“Not yet, but I’m wanting to find an internship with an architectural company.”
● What place does AI have in your future plans?
“I don’t think AI will have a negative effect on my plans. In the industry of architecture, you still need people and physical work on the job. I think AI could possibly add value with ideas and with problem-solving.”
● Final thoughts:
“I’m very grateful and thankful that I got to have this opportunity – and to know that Keystone believes I can succeed with my future and achieve my dreams and goals of being an architect. Eventually, I want to return to the East Coast and give back to my family and the community by working in residential architecture.”
This story is part of the My Story Could Be Your Story series. You can read more stories here or watch the interviews on our Keystone Trust YouTube channel.
