James Hargest College pupil and promising hockey player Breahn Arnold (12), of Invercargill, recently broke her arm during a hockey match but said the National Young Leaders Day in Dunedin, particularly the leadership advice from transtasman kayaker Justin Jones, had been inspiring.
"Watching the guy in the kayak, it seemed an impossible challenge.
"But seeing him do that, it proved to me that anything was possible."
She now hopes to represent New Zealand in the national hockey team, the Black Sticks.
St Josephs School pupil Jack Burns (12), of Queenstown, said sitting in the Regent Theatre listening to prominent New Zealanders sharing their leadership wisdom awoke an ambition of becoming a doctor.
"I learnt to try new things which are out of your comfort zone, to adapt when things go wrong, and not to get fat by sitting around on the couch watching TV all day."
Te Anau Primary School pupil and promising sailor Sam Turnbull said the Leaders Day had filled him with enthusiasm and prompted him to plot a path to his ultimate goal - to become a professional sailor and race in the America's Cup.
The 11-year-old sails a P-class yacht competitively on Lake Te Anau and admitted he had a long way to go to reach his destination, but believed no hurdle was too high.
"I learnt not to give up when the going gets tough.
"Any goal is achievable when you put your mind to it," Sam said.
Rosebank School pupil Mikayla Latta (12) of Balclutha, said she was undecided on her career, but was keen to pursue teaching, farming or represent New Zealand in equestrian.
She said the day's advice had taught her she did not have to pursue just one ambition - she could pursue several.
She also learnt that planning would be essential to her success.
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