Wakatipu High School

Jess Hudson

Jess Hudson, 17, has a goal - to give back and help people.

Head girl at Wakatipu High School, Jess ‘‘likes to make people happy by giving back’’.

Jess has spent hours volunteering, for Queenstown Hospice, The Mental Health Foundation and The Salvation Army, to name a few.

Earlier this year, her passion for volunteering took her to Tanzania, where she completed humanitarian work at a primary school and medical centre.

‘‘I get my love of volunteering from my family - my mum volunteered in Africa when she was younger too.’’

Next year Jess is planning to study for a bachelor of laws degree and a bachelor of commerce, focusing on international diplomacy, so she can continue to help people.

She was inspired to follow the career path after speaking at the Queenstown Chamber of Commerce Women in Business Conference, after hearing other speakers discuss how they help people.

Jess is also inspired by her parents, who say to her ‘‘when opportunity presents itself, do not be afraid to chase it’’.

One opportunity she has chased and been successful in is adventure racing, winning two national titles in the past two years.

Achievements

Head girl (2024); co-chair of student executive (2024); Student Volunteer Army member (2024); Duke of Edinburgh silver and bronze award (2020 to 2024); 7th open section Summer Challenge Adventure Race (2024); 3rd New Zealand Secondary Schools National Hillary Challenge (2023); distinction in NCEA level 3 biology, chemistry, physics and calculus (2023); distinction English and physical education (2022-23); WHS award outstanding achievement in level 2 English (2023); Colliers Leadership Award (2024); Trophy best all-round year 12 student (2023); WHS award top academic achiever (2021-23); Torpedo ‘‘Get2Go’’ national champions (2022); 2nd e South Island Hillary Challenge (2022); WHS 3rd senior girl - Otago Southland cross-country relays (2022); Prize all-round effort and participation in year 11 (2022); Scholarship excellence in science (2022); distinction design and visual communication, science, specialist science and NCEA level 2 mathematics with calculus (2022); Southland secondary school sports award finalist (2022); NCEA level 1 endorsed with excellence (2022).

Role models

Parents Catherine and Ben Hudson.

Hopes for the future

To study a bachelor of law and commerce degree at the University of Otago.

Mason Clarke

At 17, Mason Clarke’s dream of playing for the Black Caps is within reach.

Mason’s love for cricket started at a young age, playing in the backyard with his dad. Since he was 14, he has played in the Otago U17 and U19 teams.

A right-arm fast swing bowler, Mason started his year off playing for New Zealand in the U19 Cricket World Cup, held in South Africa.

Aged 16 at the time, he was the youngest in the squad, and managed to take seven wickets against top teams like India and Pakistan.

‘‘It was the pinnacle of my cricket so far.’’

It’s been a busy year for Mason: in April he captained the Wakatipu High School First XI cricket team in Sri Lanka on a 12-day tour.

Recently, Mason has been named in New Zealand Cricket men’s development squad, a step up from the New Zealand U19 team.

Sport is a key part of Mason’s life and he attributes it to key life lessons he has learnt.

‘‘Cricket is a game of ups and downs — similar to life, it is not going to be a straight-forward, linear road.

‘‘It has taught me the importance of resilience, and you can't always control things. It’s important to step back from time to time.’’

Head boy of Wakatipu High School, Mason portrays this knowledge through his leadership.

Mason enjoys being a leader, aiming to have positive input in people’s paths —— whether that’s through a speech to his peers in assembly, captaining his cricket team, or coaching juniors in cricket and rugby.

Outside of cricket, Mason hopes to study a for a bachelor of commerce, as he enjoys learning about the impact of economics in the day-to-day world.

Achievements

Head boy (2024); New Zealand Cricket men’s development squad (2024); NZ U19 Men’s World Cup cricket team (2023 and 2024); 1st XI cricket team captain (2022 to 2024); co-chairperson of the student executive team (2024); Colliers Leadership Award (2024); Student Volunteer Army member (2024); Central Otago Young Sportsman of the Year finalist (2024); Otago U19 men’s cricket team (2023 and 2024); Otago U19 men’s bowler of the year (2024); Otago U17 men’s cricket team (2021 to 2023); 1st XV rugby (2023); Otago U17 men’s bowler of the year (2022 and 23); Outstanding Blue Award cricket (2023); distinction in business studies and physical education (2023); commendation in economics and english (2023); NCEA Level 2 with excellence (2023).