Olivia Christie and Sophie Stark and the 2019 Class Act recipients for Gore High School.
Olivia Christie
Olivia Christie
A farm girl at heart with a strong work ethic, Olivia Christie is set to make waves in the world of science.
The 17-year-old Gore High School pupil is working her way towards an impressive third NCEA excellence endorsement, after earning the honour for levels 1 and 2.
The academic high-achiever is also working on scholarship papers in biology, chemistry, and physics.
''You do have to put a wee bit of work in,'' she said.
''I like doing things well. Even if I don't enjoy it I like doing it well.''
She hints her work ethic might have come from her role model: her dad.
''I'm sure he'd love that,'' she said with a laugh.
She has lived most of her life on a sheep and beef farm, and has incorporated her love of farming into participation in the school's TeenAg club.
She was the club's treasurer in 2018, and competed in the TeenAg competition in Milton this year.
''I just like doing all the different activities on the farm, going on field trips to different places,'' she said.
She is also potentially looking to turn that passion for farming and science into a career further down the track.
Her love of science led her to attend the Science and Technology Forum in Auckland this year.
It was a ''privilege'' to attend the forum, as she was ''exposed to a high level of scientific concepts and processes''.
While she laughingly says she ''wouldn't classify myself as sporty'', she has been heavily involved in Gore netball, playing for the high school for the past four years and coaching the year 10 team last year.
This year, she is starting to coach a year 3 and 4 team.
''With the little kids, you get a lot out of it because they really enjoy it. It's just giving back, I guess.''
This year, she is also working towards the Duke of Edinburgh's Hillary Award, which challenges young people to leave their comfort zones.
Her leadership roles are not limited to the court.
She has worked alongside year 9 pupils at the school as a peer support leader this year.
She is also a Students Against Dangerous Driving (Sadd) leader, and attended the 2019 Sadd conference in Christchurch.
''It's just something you can make a difference in.''
Achievements: Students Against Drink Driving leader (2019); NCEA levels 1 and 2 with excellence; attended Science and Technology Forum in Auckland (2019); school netball coach (2018); peer support leader (2019); school TeenAg Club treasurer (2018).
Role model: My dad. I just respect him; he’s hard-working.
Hopes for the future: To study agricultural science at Lincoln University.
Sophie Stark
Sophie Stark
Her academic record is impressive to say the least, but it's outside the classroom that Sophie Stark feels most at home.
Whether it is in the pool or on the hockey turf, the 18-year-old Gore High School pupil will take any chance she can get to head outdoors.
''It just keeps me active and outside for a bit longer,'' she said.
''I love being outdoors. I'd much rather be outdoors than inside most of the time.''
A keen hockey player, she has played for the school XI team since 2015, and has also played the sport in South Otago school sport exchanges for several years.
She also swims twice a week, training with Hokonui Aquatic, and last year won the Gore High School senior girls swimming championship title.
Sophie, who lives on a sheep and beef farm, is also considering a fairly outdoorsy career path.
''I'm planning on going up to Massey University to try and be a vet.
''I just love working with animals, and I don't mind working with people as well, and it will be quite a hands-on job.''
After completing the Bronze and Silver awards, last year she earned the Duke of Edinburgh Hillary Award- Gold. As well as completing the programme, her leadership skills were on full display when she served as the trip leader for the adventure journey.
She was also a Peer Support leader this year, helping new year 9 pupils settle into school.
And she has put her farming background to good use as a member of this year's TeenAg club executive.
''I am the treasurer, which involves handling money we get from fundraisers and money we use for competitions or field trips.''
When it comes to her academic success, it is fair to say Sophie is modest.
But according to her records, her hard work has definitely paid off.
She achieved NCEA levels 1 and 2 with excellence endorsements, and also won a school award for academic excellence in 2018.
She was also awarded the school's PTA Diligence Prize last year.
''I just like doing well in all my classes and I quite enjoy science. I'm always pretty happy when I do well in that.''
Achievements: Gore High School XI hockey team (since 2015); Students Against Dangerous Driving leader (2019); TeenAg treasurer (2019); Peer Support leader (2019); school senior girls swimming champion (2018); NCEA levels 1 and 2 with excellence; gold Duke of Edinburgh Hillary Award (2018); PTA Diligence Prize (2018).
Role model: I look up to my parents, they’ve done quite well in life for themselves, and they’re caring.
Future plans: Study at Massey University to become a vet.
