Kalin Haywood and Amy Eason are the 2019 Class Act recipients for Lawrence Area School.
Kalin Haywood
Kalin Haywood
Kalin Haywood (17) was born in Dunedin but has lived on a farm all her life, including the dairy farm in Beaumont her father Brendan, has managed for the last eight years.
''I have been lucky enough to grow up on a farm with four brothers, so I consider my upbringing pretty special''.
When she can, Kalin cycles, particularly enjoying the Clutha Gold Cycle Trail between Millers Flat and Beaumont.
Kalin started her education at Hauroko Valley Primary School, at Clifden, in Southland, and then, when she was 9, went to Lawrence Area School in West Otago.
''Both schools I have attended were small country schools, so I think one of the reasons I have been lucky enough to have countless opportunities is down to that''.
Kalin has passed NCEA level 1 and 2, and is working her way through level 3, particularly enjoying biology and English.
She has taken on several leadership roles in her final years of school and is head pupil this year.
''I really stepped out of my comfort zone this year, applying for the various leadership roles such as head student and board of trustees representative.
''These roles have been challenging at times, but the skills I have gained from just talking in these positions have improved my confidence hugely.''
Next year Kalin plans to study at the University of Otago to become a social worker.
''I've definitely always known I wanted to do something with people, and I think social work is a job where it is challenging, but also extremely rewarding.
''My hopes for the future are just to be in a role where I am not only enjoying myself, but doing something beneficial and giving back to others.''
The four-year course will require a move to Dunedin early next year, something she describes as both scary and exciting.
''I'm definitely excited to go to Dunedin, meet new people and be around others that share the same interests as me.
''It is, of course, going to be a huge change from my life in Beaumont but will definitely be worth it in the end.''
Achievements: Head pupil (2019); NCEA level 1 with merit; NCEA level 2; SADD committee (2017-18); diligence award (2017-18); home economics award (2018); school formal committee (2018-19); Southern Area Schools tournament (2016-17, 2019); New Zealand Area Schools leadership course (2019); Clutha Youth District Council (2019); board of trustees student representative (2019); Lawrence Area School student leadership team (2019).
Role models: No role model.
Hopes for the future: To study social work at the University of Otago.
Amy Eason
Amy Eason
Growing up on a farm outside Beaumont with her parents, one older brother and no neighbours has made Amy Eason resilient, self-reliant and self-directing.
The 17-year-old Lawrence Area School deputy head pupil and member of the student leadership team says her philosophy in life is to take every opportunity that comes along, even though there have been times when she has asked herself why.
''But whenever I have completed something, I have always thought it was a good decision to do it, that was a good idea.''
Amy recently completed an Outward Bound course at the suggestion of her father.
She credits her parents, her school and her community as her biggest influences.
Amy described herself as good at sport, having played representative netball for South Otago since year 6, representative basketball since year 9, representative football since 2016 and representative volleyball this year.
She is competitive, but says ''winning isn't everything''.
''I also like being there and meeting new people and getting amongst things that are popular in the community.''
For several years, Amy has been a member of the Lawrence Lions working bees and catering, and this year she has been a Clutha district youth counsellor, helping to organise a methamphetamine awareness campaign across the district.
Through playing sport, Amy has suffered injuries, which has given her the idea of a career in treating them.
This year she is taking all three sciences, maths and physical education, with a view to studying health sciences at Otago University next year, and ultimately physiotherapy.
''I work hard, I don't really muck around. You are at school to learn and if you choose not to, that is your decision. But I want to get something out of it.''
Achievements: Deputy head pupil (2019); student leader (2019); Clutha District Council youth councillor (2019); school formal committee (2019); New Zealand Area Schools leadership course (2019); house captain (2018-19); SADD committee (2017-19); Outward Bound ‘‘Mind, Body and Soul’’ course (2018); year 5 and 6 netball coach (2017-19); senior girls athletics champion (2016-17); senior girls swimming champion (2017-18); most outstanding girls basketballer (2017-18); selected for NZ Area Schools South Island basketball, netball and football teams (2016-18); NZ Area Schools national basketball team (2016-17); best all-round netballer (2016-18); South Otago U15 netball representative (2016); South Otago U17 netball rep (2017-18); NZ Area Schools national netball team (2018); NCEA level 1 with excellence, level 2 with merit; school awards for home economics (2017); excellence in year 11 award (2017); year 12 academic award, excellence in senior biology prize, outstanding participation in school activities (2018).
Role models: My parents.
Hopes for the future: To study physiotherapy at the University of Otago.
