Columba College pupil Sarah Robertson (17) spent three days this week with 71 other budding young entrepreneurs at the New Zealand regional heat of the trade challenge, developing hypothetical milk-based products to export to the Southeast Asian market.
Sarah was selected as one of the top 11 pupils from the event who will attend a weekend workshop in Auckland next month.
"It's an amazing opportunity. I had tears in my eyes.
"I was so happy to be selected. For me, it's quite an achievement," she said.
Following the announcement, discussion among those selected was focused on the excitement of regrouping for the workshop, where they will develop a uniquely New Zealand product and prepare to market it to the world.
From this, six pupils will be selected to represent New Zealand in Singapore, in August.
The 11 selected were Benjamin Braid (Christchurch Boys' High School), James Dalzell (Wanganui Collegiate), Lisa Fairclough (New Plymouth Girls' High School), Sophia Faure (St Mary's College, Wellington), Pavel Granger (Rangitoto College, Auckland), Katy Hendrikse (Putaruru College, Tokoroa), Jess Howell (Lynfield College, Auckland), Grace Orourke (Kaitaia Abundant Life School), Joseph Payne (Macleans College, Auckland), Sarah Robertson (Columba College), and Kruger Schaumakel (Westlake Boys High School, Auckland).
