Luca Bell
Luca Bell prioritises being a helpful person over everything else.
As a senior leader at her school, she has made it a priority to help other students do what they love by helping organise athletics days, swimming sports and cross country.
She is passionate about sports and has been a member of her school’s senior A basketball team since year 9, and senior A netball team since year 11.
Going to area schools sports events and completing Spirit of Adventure have been highlights for her during her high school experience.
In doing the Spirit of Adventure, Luca has had the opportunity to learn lots of sailing skills and make new friends.
She says her biggest takeaway from the trip has been an appreciation for what she has.
"It’s about appreciating what you’ve got rather than thinking about what you don’t have."
She has grown up on a farm and has been around sheep and cattle her whole life, so she is passionate about animals.
Next year, she is planning on going to the Southern Institute of Technology to do rural animal healthcare.
Achievements
Year 13 senior leader (2025); Spirit of Adventure (2025); New Zealand Area School leadership camp (2025); senior A netball team (2025); senior A basketball team (2025); house captain (2024); academic excellence in agriculture (2024); diligence in mathematics (2024); NCEA level 2 (2024); New Zealand Area School nationals South of the South team for basketball (2024); senior A netball team (2024); senior A basketball team (2024); diligence in mathematics and physical education (2023); New Zealand Area School nationals South of the South team for netball (2023); NCEA level 1 (2023).
Role model
None.
Hopes for the future
To become a rural animal technician.
Lochlan McKenzie
Lochlan McKenzie likes to keep things simple.
The 17-year-old is passionate about two things — tractors and playing rugby.
The highlights of his time at high school have been going to national competitions to play rugby with the South Otago first XV.
Last year, he was awarded the Weatherall Trophy for best all round rugby player in the team.
Lochlan is proud to have made the team for the past three years in a row, especially since he comes from a small area school.
"It’s pretty awesome."
He loves the game and has played it since he was five.
As a senior leader at his school, Lochlan has made it a priority to help his younger peers get into sports.
He has consistently helped out at sports events like athletics day, to encourage them to find a sport.
Next year, he is planning on working towards a licence to operate heavy machinery.
He has wanted to become a tractor driver since he was four, when he saw people operating tractors in a paddock.
"That looked fun and that’s all I’ve wanted to do ever since."
In the future, he wants to own his own contracting company with a fleet of tractors on hire for a variety of jobs.
Achievements
Year 13 student leader (2025); New Zealand Area School nationals (2025); South of the South rugby and Ki O Rāhi teams (2025); South Otago XV rugby (2024, 2025); Otago secondary tertiary college certificate – level 2 automotive (2024); Shanks Cup for effort and achievement in workshop technology (2024); academic excellence in technology (2024); Weatherall Trophy for Best Allrounder Rugby Player (2024); New Zealand Area School nationals South of the South rugby team (2023, 2024); New Zealand Area Schools South Island rugby team (2023, 2024); NCEA level 2 (2024);Otago secondary school athletics for shot put (2023, 2024); diligence in social science (2023); Warhurst Trophy for Contribution to Rugby (2023); NCEA level 1 (2023); South Otago second XV rugby (2023)
Role model
Ardie Savea.
Hopes for the future
To become an agricultural contractor.
