Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern thought briefly about just rolling out the same old speech from previous years.
But she decided this year’s cohort of Otago Daily Times Class Act Award recipients deserved special recognition for the great heights they had achieved while facing major adversity.
She spoke yesterday at the awards ceremony, which celebrated the cultural, academic and sporting achievements of 56 pupils from 28 Otago schools, at the Dunedin Public Art Gallery.
Proud parents, principals and guests watched as the hard work of the pupils was acknowledged.
Ms Ardern spoke to the trials the pupils had faced with Covid-19 and how they had excelled despite it.
Last year the ceremony was cancelled due to Covid-19 restrictions.
As she could not congratulate the pupils in person, Ms Ardern sent a video message.
While on the stage yesterday she confessed to the audience that she had considered reusing last year’s material, as none of the pupils would have seen the video.
"I was tempted to just read the same speech again."
However, the challenges the current generation faced were unique and she wanted to "speak directly to the experiences of this moment in time".
The recipients have achieved great things "despite significant odds".
"Far greater than anything a generation has faced in recent history."
Other generations had faced trials, such the Vietnam War, the Dawn Raids and the 1981 Springbok tour, but none were quite like a pandemic, which cast a long lingering shadow over normal life.
It had impacted the pupils’ plans and education.
"I have no doubt that you’ve gained not only strength, but perspective," she said.
The pupils would be resilient, but she did not want them to feel they had to step up before they were ready.
"I don’t want you to have to live lives that constantly test how strong you are."
Young people were often told that they had it easy, but it was"absolute rubbish".
The recipients had endured so much and achieved so much, which deserved to be celebrated.
University of Otago deputy vice-chancellor Richard Blaikie said the awards were not just a celebration of the pupil, but representative of the community. The pupils could not excel without the help of their families and teachers.
ODT editor Barry Stewart said the awards were established in 2000 as the ODT felt excellence should be encouraged.
The pupils who received their awards yesterday had exemplified that excellence, whether it be in leadership, sporting, academics, culture or a combination of them all.
"Please continue to aim higher, you are the leaders of tomorrow."
The pupils proudly received their awards from the Prime Minister, which for some was the highlight of the event.
St Hilda’s Collegiate School pupil Lily Knox said Ms Ardern had been a big inspiration to her and was part of the reason she was interested in politics.
It felt "really special" to have the achievement acknowledged by her.
Columba College pupil Lily Ferro said she enjoyed the Prime Minister’s speech, as it felt like she was addressing their generation in particular.
John McGlashan pupil Michael Buttery said he had grown up with many of the recipients and it was awesome to see how far they had come.
"I’m so proud of everyone."
