East Otago High School

Samuel Paton

"Men are made, not born", that is Samuel Paton’s motto in life, and the name of his boy’s leadership and development programme he initiated at East Otago High School.

He was the only Southland/Otago delegate to represent New Zealand at the London International Youth Science Forum last year.

The head boy plans to study a double degree in law and global studies either at University of Otago or Victoria University next year and his dream is to become a policy adviser in government.

Samuel was also chosen to be part of the Pacific Future Leaders Academy in the Cook Islands, is on a youth advisory panel to government and was selected for the United Nations Youth Global Development Tour.

The 17-year-old was awarded the trophy for initiative in leadership at his school and says he has learnt a lot about different styles of leadership.

"The biggest thing I’ve come to understand is that a leader isn’t always someone constantly leading from the front. Sometimes a subtle hand is all that leadership really needs to be."

He initiated the leadership programme at his school as he wanted to see more tāne role models.

"For me growing up in East Otago, there were no male role models other than my brother and I wanted to change that.

The top scholar wants to champion rural communities to be recognised more in politics, and in youth advocacy spaces.

He believes hauora and burnout amongst leaders are topics not discussed enough and he wants to focus on models for wellbeing, including "conquering your fears".

Achievements

East Otago High School head boy (2025); Student Council (2021-25); Peer Support Leader (2025); NCEA level 2 endorsed with excellence (2024); London International Youth Science Forum (2024); NCEA level 1 endorsed with excellence (2023); Top Scholar year 11 (2023); The Hive NZ, current member of youth advisory panel to government; set up and running a boys’ leadership and development programme at EOHS, “Men are made, not born” (2024-25); Academic prefect (2024); Future Leaders Academy, Cook Islands (2024); Trophy for Initiative in Leadership EOHS (2024); Board of Trustee representative (2023); Netball umpire – SISS Netball Tournaments (2022-24); Youth Advisory Board for Netball South (2023); School records broken hammer throw (2022, 2023); Coach netball (2022); United Nations Youth Global Development Tour (2025); Duke of Edinburgh, bronze award, EOHS public speaking shield (2024); National Model United Nations Conference (2022-24), top volunteer for EOHS (2023). [abridged]

Role model

His whānau and Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

Hopes for the future

Create a difference in rural communities.

Addisyn Lawrence

Addisyn Lawrence grew up on a farm and has spent her lifetime caring for all creatures great and small.

The 17-year-old East Otago High School student plans to study a bachelor of veterinary science at Massey University next year. It has always been her dream to be a vet.

"My dad has always been farm-based and often in summer there were ‘take your daughter to work days’ and we’d go and help him.

"We used to have a three-legged cat, she lost her leg in a possum trap when we lived out at the farm, so with that and arthritis, she was always on medication, so I was kind of like the pharmacist."

Addisyn is on student council, has been an academic prefect and a sports and house captain. She has also amassed an impressive 500 hours in volunteering including as a volleyball, netball and handball coach.

Her caring nature, dedication and leadership skills are also shown in her roles as a school peer support leader.

Addisyn also says working in hospitality is a good training ground for dealing with challenging situations and learning good negotiating skills.

"It’s trying to find ways that benefit everybody at the same time, that’s the win-win situation."

Thinking of others comes naturally to the school leader who travelled to China this year on a school trip for a cross-cultural exchange.

"It made me appreciate how good New Zealand is and how much more I want to do for my community."

Achievements

East Otago High School Head Girl (2025); NCEA level 2 endorsed with excellence (2024); Jubilee Cup, first in y12 (2024); David Murray Prize senior student who made an outstanding contribution to the school and community in an educational sense (2024); Peer Support Leader (2025); NCEA level 1 endorsed with excellence (2023); Student Council (2019-22, 2024-25); Southern Rangatahi Advisory Group (SRAG) member (2024); SRAG co-leader (2025); academic prefect (2024); sports captain (2024); house captain (2023); coach; volleyball, netball (2021); coach netball (2022); coach primary netball (2023); coach volleyball, handball, junior netball (2024); Netball umpire — SISS Junior Netball Tournament (2024); SISS Netball Tournament 2022-25; SVA, Student Volunteer Army — top volunteer for EOHS and gold award for 500 hours (2024); Duke of Edinburgh — Gold, Bronze and Silver award.