For a youngster who spent most of his high school years learning through correspondence, Isaac Hughes is relishing being part of a thriving classroom at EIT Tairawhiti.

The 19-year-old from Tokomaru Bay is in his first year of the three year Bachelor of Business Studies with aspirations of becoming a chartered accountant,

And it’s thanks to a Year 13 Scholarship that he’s able to pursue that dream.

Hughes wasn’t planning on pursuing local study until he and his uncle learnt about the scholarship.

“It’s awesome,” he said. “It means I can stay in Gisborne and study… and it saves so much money. I am really enjoying my study.”

When he’s not hitting the books, Hughes, the youngest of six children, is likely to be found plying his other passion – music. He went all the way to grade eight in piano and is a masterful guitarist too.

“Music is my love,” he says. “It runs in our family.”

Hughes has no plans of heading offshore once he has his accounting ticket either.

“Gisborne and the coast are home, so I would prefer to stay here and work.”

While he is currently working part time at Pak ‘n’ Save, he’s planning to try and pick up some work in a local accountancy firm next year.