Rebecca Dorsey
From poppets to poppas, Rebecca Dorsey wants to help people of all ages.
The 18-year-old Waitaki Girls’ High School head girl has had her own dance school for five years and plans to continue her teaching career by studying primary school teaching at the University of Otago.
Rebecca opened her dance school in year 8, with just six pupils, which has steadily grown to over 60 pupils.
Her dance school has helped her develop crucial skills needed for a primary school teacher.
Rebecca also likes helping the elderly.
She began volunteering at Harbour View Rest Home in 2021 and then applied for an after-school job there.
Rebecca is considering working in aged care later in life.
Her ultimate goal, however, is to combine her love of working with old and young by opening a rest-home and early childhood centre next to each other.
She has already seen the benefits, by taking her dance pupils into the rest-home.
‘‘It's nice seeing the two worlds coming together,’’ she said.
Rebecca also employs her love of singing in her work in the rest-home.
She said it was special to see dementia patients remember old songs.
Rebecca said her parents were her biggest role models. They are proud of her dance business and encourage her to continue working with children. Her mother’s work as a primary school teacher has also encouraged her.
Rebecca wanted to become a teacher from a young age.
No matter what she does, she wants to be able to help people.
‘‘I just like being able to help them.’’
Achievements: Head girl (2023); NCEA Level 1 with merit; NCEA Level 2 with excellence; Social Committee co-chairperson (2023); peer support leader (2023); Amnesty International (2022, 2023); Student Council (2023); Student Wellbeing Committee (2019-23); Students Against Dangerous Driving (2021-23); canteen service (2021-23); Principals Scholars Award in food and nutrition (2022); Young Enterprise entrant (2021); diligence and progress award for food and nutrition (2021); diligence and progress award for Gateway (2022);
diligence and progress award for history (2022); cultural award for service to the canteen (2022); cultural award for service to SADD (2022); Harbourview Rest Home volunteer (2021-23); dance teacher to pupils aged 2 to 12 years (2020-23); Oamaru Intermediate and Weston School dance programme organiser (2022); 1st in class Level 2 food and nutrition (2022); 1st in class Level 2 textiles technology (2022).
Role models: Her parents.
Plans for the future: Study primary school teaching at the University of Otago.
Holly Ross
Making sure children are given equal opportunities is just one of the things Holly Ross is passionate about.
Also right up there for the 18-year-old Waitaki Girls’ High School pupil is family.
Being from a large family, with seven siblings, has influenced her love of children and desire to give back to the community.
She has volunteered at the Waitaki Recreation Centre Kids Active Holiday Programme for five years and has enjoyed seeing the children grow up.
She wants to make Oamaru a ‘‘better place for other kids’’.
The cultural prefect organised Waitaki Girls’ first New Zealand Sign Language Week celebrations.
Her younger sister’s hearing impairment drives her to make sure people are treated equally and given equal opportunities, despite challenges.
She enjoys seeing Sign Language Week celebrated and enjoyed having the opportunity to make a difference in the school.
‘‘It’s good to give back,’’ she says.
Holly will be the first in her family to graduate high school and the first to attend university.
She aims to do better than the people who came before her, making them proud.
Next year, she will attend the University of Otago and study towards a double degree in international business and Japanese.
She would then like to go into any job where she can travel and connect with people, possibly in government, she says.
Holly enjoys business, travel, meeting people and learning about different countries and cultures.
She is inspired by the self-expression of pop icon Lady Gaga.
‘‘She unapologetically lives for herself.’’
Achievements: NCEA level 1 and 2 endorsed with excellence; cultural leader (2023); Cultural Council head (2023); Amnesty International (2021-23); Leadership Group member (2023); Student Council (2023); SADD committee (2022); Enviro Club (2021, 2022); Student Wellbeing Committee (2022); Young Enterprise competitor (2021); 40 Hour Famine (2019-23); diligence and progress award for English (2022); diligence and progress award for physics (2022); diligence and progress award for business studies (2021); 1st in class level 1 economics (2022); 1st in class level 1 mathematics (2022); 2nd in class level 1 accounting (2022); 2nd in class level 1 history (2022); 1st in class food and nutrition (2021); Waitaki Recreation Centre Kids Active Holiday programme (2019-23); Waitaki Girls’ first New Zealand Sign Language Week Celebration organiser (2023).
Role models: Lady Gaga and social science teacher Sonya Hull.
Hopes for the future: To attend the University of Otago and study a double degree in international business and Japanese.
