Naomi Bridger
Naomi Bridger
Something special happens when you connect people.
That’s why East Otago High School deputy head pupil Naomi Bridger always makes it a priority to truly get to know people and help them whenever she can.
"When people get along, you get to know their lives and you get a better understanding of what’s happening around you, rather than just what’s happening in your own life."
The 18-year-old has discovered that if you have people’s best interests at heart, they will look to you as a leader.
It’s a style of leadership that Naomi has found to be very effective, not only at school, but also in community organisations as well.
Her leadership skills shine as deputy head pupil, as a school netball and hockey coach, as captain of the school’s senior hockey combined team, on the student council, as a peer support leader, a house captain, the head of the school’s Positive Behaviour for Learning programme, and as a Puketapu Scout Group member.
She uses her leadership roles to motivate those around her to become more supportive of each other, to be determined, and to be better than they thought they could be — all things she has learnt from her parents.
"They’re always striving to be better and they never give up on their goals. I respect that.
"Those things are really good on the sports field."
Naomi plans to use her leadership and motivational skills as part of a career in the hospitality industry.
She has always dreamed of owning her own hotel, and to that end, she wants to study business management, finance and hospitality at the University of Otago next year.
"I really like the idea of being in hospitality — being able to talk to people from overseas and being able to run a business."
Achievements: Deputy head pupil (2021); NCEA level 1 with merit (2019), level 2 (2020); years 4-5 netball coach (2018); years 7-8 hockey coach (2019-21); senior hockey combined team (2016-21), captain (2020-21); school production (2019); peer support leader (2021); house captain (2020-21); sports captain (2021); head of school-wide Positive Behaviour for Learning (2021); student council rep (2016, 2017, 2021); school contribution to sport award (2020); Puketapu Scout Group member (2014-19); Scout, Keas and Cubs leader (2018, 2019).
Role model: My parents.
Hopes for the future: To study business management, finance and hospitality at the University of Otago, and ultimately own her own hotel.
Luke Paton
Luke Paton
We make a living by what we get, but Luke Paton is a big believer in the idea that we make a life by what we give.
The 18-year-old East Otago High School head pupil says life is more meaningful when our goal is "fulfilment" rather than gratification.
"We have quite a selfish orientated culture where really we should be looking outside of ourselves to find fulfilment."
The budding humanitarian commits much of his spare time outside the classroom to school and community activities which aim to make the lives of others better.
As well as being head pupil, he is a school wellbeing committee representative, a Christian Youth Camp and Camp Columba leader, a Young Light and Dunedin City Baptist Church youth student leader, a World Vision youth leader, a peer support leader and peer mentor, and an online youth advocate.
He has also been a house leader, a Maori perfect, and a student council class representative in the past.
Next year, he plans to take a gap year and work to raise money for his tertiary education.
And if Covid allows, he hopes to squeeze in a visit to family in the United States.
"After that, in 2023, I’m hoping to study occupational therapy at the Otago Polytechnic."
He says it has been a long journey coming to his decision to study occupational therapy.
"For the longest time, I’ve wanted to do something that involved helping people, and for a while I wanted to be a teacher.
"And then for a while after that, I wanted to be a builder because it’s such a useful trade to have. I could benefit my family and benefit people if I did missionary work in Third World countries."
But he has settled on occupational therapy because it can help people achieve a lot of things in their day-to-day lives.
"That’s how you actually change lives."
Achievements: Head pupil (2021); NCEA levels 1 and 2 with excellence; Anzac Day service leader (2021); 1st school senior speech competition (2019-21), 2nd Otago junior speech (2018); school public speaking award (2020); house leader (2019-20); wellbeing committee rep (2021); Maori perfect (2020); Kapahaka Kaea (2019-21); Christian Youth Camp leader (2017-21); Camp Columba leader (2017-21); church worship leader (2019-21); Young Light and Dunedin City Baptist Church youth student leader (2020-21); student council class rep (2016-20); World Vision youth leader (2021); school prizes for overall excellence (2015-20); school production lead role (2019); intermediate, junior and senior swim champion (2016, 2018, 2020); peer support leader (2021); peer mentor (2020-21); online youth advocate (2020-21).
Role model: Jesus Christ.
Hopes for the future: To take a gap year then study occupational therapy at Otago Polytechnic.
