Kendall\u2019s essay, titled Diversity is Fashionable, but is it Valuable?, examined the social and economic impacts of diversity, challenged tokenism and highlighted examples of inclusion done well.<\/p>\n
In her essay, she wrote diversity was most successful when it \u201cblends in\u201d and feels \u201cnatural\u201d.<\/p>\n
Kendall found herself surrounded by a \u201cdiverse range\u201d of people at school \u2014 ethnically, religiously and socially.<\/p>\n
She wrote her Zimbabwean ethnic background did not \u201cdominate conversation\u201d in that group, and she felt cohesive in the diverse group.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy differences were not highlighted. [They] showed me my culture is a strength, not the climax of a joke.\u201d<\/p>\n
Those words stood out among more than 63,000 essay entries worldwide, the largest number of applicants the competition had ever received. <\/p>\n
Kendall said she never imagined that being recognised \u201cfor writing of all things\u201d would send her to London.<\/p>\n
Kendall said she learned about the competition through Tiktok and wrote the 2000-word essay over several months. <\/p>\n
She said the prospect of competing against 18-year-olds was intimidating at first.<\/p>\n
Finding out she was a finalist came as a \u201cshock\u201d, but she was also excited.<\/p>\n
She learned the news at 5am and immediately rang her mother, who was at the other end of the house. The pair celebrated with a \u201cbig hug\u201d.<\/p>\n
Chiwawa said she had always believed her daughter was a good writer but had thought, \u201cWhat are the chances?\u201d given the tens of thousands of entries worldwide.<\/p>\n
She said Kendall\u2019s essay resonated with her own reflections on diversity.<\/p>\n
Since moving to New Zealand, Chiwawa said, \u201cI don\u2019t ever work with anyone who looks like me\u201d.<\/p>\n
She said she focused on looking beyond what a person looked like and valued what they brought to the team.<\/p>\n
When the family found out Kendall was a finalist and a trip to London was on the cards, it was too late to fundraise, so Chiwawa and Kendall contacted several airlines.<\/p>\n
Singapore Airlines responded, offering support to make the trip possible.<\/p>\n
Singapore Airlines New Zealand general manager Wilson Yong said the airline was \u201cdelighted\u201d to support Kendall on her journey to London.<\/p>\n
Yong said: \u201cWe know she will do Rotorua and New Zealand proud in taking her place among the world\u2019s top young thinkers\u201d. <\/p>\n
John Paul College highlighted Kendall\u2019s \u201coutstanding\u201d achievement on its Facebook, applauding her as an \u201cexceptional student\u201d and an \u201cabsolute star\u201d.<\/p>\n
Kendall said English teacher Sheryl Todd was her referee for the essay competition and was \u201cinstrumental\u201d in the process. She was grateful for the support of her school, she said.<\/p>\n
The essay competition invited students worldwide to submit essays in politics, philosophy, theology and economics.<\/p>\n
Finalists spent three days in London this month attending lectures and panel talks, a gala dinner and awards ceremony, plus sessions on university admissions and networking.<\/p>\n
Chiwawa said Kendall received a certificate and a $1728 (US$1000) scholarship to attend any of the John Locke Institutes\u2019 summer schools.<\/p>\n
Chiwawa said Kendall met young people from a range of countries, making \u201cgood connections\u201d.<\/p>\n
The family was \u201cthrilled\u201d with Kendall\u2019s achievement and said it had been a \u201cblast\u201d.<\/p>\n