Jessica Udy
She said she was a self-motivated learner when she was interested in something.
‘‘I wanted to learn a language and challenge myself outside of school.’’
Three years ago, she began teaching herself how to speak Korean and Japanese.
All her life she has wanted to be a veterinarian, but recently she changed her mind and now wants to become a forensic scientist.
‘‘I guess I just saw it on TV and I found it really interesting how they can use science to help in the criminal justice system.’’
This year she was also a part of the University of Otago science academy, through which she had the opportunity to do a course in forensics and it motivated her further to pursue it next year.
She had always been interested in the criminal justice system and she would make her contribution through her scientific knowledge.
Jessica was the 2022 and 2023 adult recreational champion for One Dance nationals.
Although she won the competition for ballroom dancing, she said she liked all forms of dance.
‘‘I just feel happy when I dance - it’s freeing.’’
Next year, she plans to take a break from dance competitions to focus on her university studies, but she would continue dancing socially.
Achievements
Otago University Advanced Science School Academy (2024); One Dance Nationals ballroom dancing (2022-23); Southland Festival of Dance(2023); dancing exam level 19 (2024); 107 hours Student Volunteer Army (2022-24); community and service prefect (2023); Students Against Dangerous Driving (2023-24); peer leader (2023-24); school house leadership group (2023-24); prefect’s Variety Concert (2023 and 2024); student council (2024); Kapa Haka; camp leader (2024); Rachel’s Studio of Dance tutor (2022-24); maths tutor (2024); NCEA level 2 excellence endorsement (2023); NCEA level 1 excellence endorsement (2022); council events volunteer (2022-24).
Role model
No role models.
Hopes for the future
To travel and live overseas.
Jessie McFadzien
The young farmer loves everything about the lifestyle that comes with a dairy farm, milking 2000 cows across different farms.
‘‘It’s kind of a passion I developed from a young age, that I still enjoy and want to do in the future,’’ Jessie said.
The best thing about it was being outdoors.
‘‘When you come home from school and your head’s all clouded over from school work and you get out and get some fresh air, it makes you feel a lot better.’’
She wanted to continue the legacy of her family farm and hand it over to the next generation in a healthy state, she said.
Next year she was planning on studying agriculture at Lincoln University to further develop her skills.
This year, she was the deputy head girl at Māruawai College and used her work ethic to help a range of people.
She helped organise field trips to different farms and lunchtime activities to teach younger students about farming as well.
She said one of her greatest achievements was placing second in the Southland Otago Regional Junior Young Farmer Competition this year.
Achievements
Deputy head girl (2024); girls’ U16 cross-country; Students Against Dangerous Driving committee (2023-24); school netball (2022-24); coaching netball (2024); Teen Ag club (2020-24); Southland Otago Regional Junior Young Farmer Competition (2022-24); National Junior Young Farmer competition (2024); Student volunteer army; Camp Columba holiday camp leader; Youth Bunker holiday programme leader; Jazz Addict intermediate dance level 2; Lucidity contemporary dance level 9; Wyndham Show Reserve Champion crossbred ewe (2024); Wyndham Show Champion crossbred ewe (2024); Wyndham Show Supreme Champion crossbred sheep (2024); Winton Show Reserve Champion all breeds ewe (2024); Gore Show Reserve Champion wool breeds composite ewe (2024); Enviro group (2023); community student leader (2023); NCEA level 1 and 2 excellence endorsements.
Role models
Parents Cameron and Marion McFadzien.
Hopes for the future
To successfully manage the family farm.
