Class Act 2003: Where are they now?

Bayfield High School

• Andrew Baldwin (23)
Associate of Trinity College, London, in voice; BMusHons first class.

Is temping and tutoring in Auckland to save money for postgraduate studies overseas. Baldwin was accepted into a composition masters course at the Royal College of Music in London but unable to take his place because of the international fees of $30,000 a year. He hopes to go next year.

He has received commissions from ensembles throughout New Zealand and was composer-in-residence at Wellington Cathedral for two years. Since 2008, he has been section leader in the New Zealand Youth Choir, which recently toured Asia and Australia.

• Gemma Welsh (24)
Bachelor of education, teaching; University of Otago College of Education awards for academic excellence and teaching practice excellence.

Works at Cashmere Avenue School, Wellington, as a new entrants-year one teacher. She won the Dunedin Star's 2006 role model award for her volunteer work at Youthline Otago.

Blue Mountain College

• Layla Carruthers (25)
Bachelor of tourism hons first class; bachelor of commerce (economics).

After receiving a string of scholarships while studying, Carruthers now works as an advertising sales consultant for The Southland Times-Newslink in Gore.

• Jenna Morton (25)
National certificate in veterinary nursing; national certificate in dental assisting.

Is based in Central Otago, in her final year of study towards a bachelor of nursing degree and applying for nursing jobs in New Zealand and Australia.

Columba College

• Sheena Kirkland (24)
LLB, BCom (finance).

Is a solicitor at Lowndes Jordan, in Auckland, doing general commercial and property-related work.

• Victoria Taylor (25)
MBChB

Is a first-year doctor (house surgeon) at Wellington Hospital and studying for a postgraduate diploma in obstetrics and medical gynaecology through the University of Otago.

Cromwell College

• Zena Kagan (24)
BCom hons first class.

Is a change analyst in the project management team at the Royal Bank of Scotland, Edinburgh.

• Tim Muller (24)
BSc (hons) in chemistry; BA in history.

Is in Kolkata, India, working as a volunteer for Freeset, which offers freedom to women in forced prostitution.

The organisation employs women to make fair trade T-shirts and bags, giving them an economic alternative to the sex trade. He and his wife will return to New Zealand next month.