Class Act: Bayfield High School

Alex Livingstone
Alex Livingstone
Alex Livingstone

For Alex Livingstone (17), fun and hard work are not far apart.

If he did not enjoy gymnastics, studying and business, he would not have found success as product manager of Albaro Health (2020-21) or as a gold medallist in the Valeri Luikin International Invitational gymnastics competition and the Houston National competition (2020).

Alex first became interested in gymnastics about age 6, when he watched the Olympics on

television.

Since then he has found improving in the sport a constant goal to work towards and one he really enjoys.

He always wanted to participate in a different type of sport and found gymnastics appealed to his progress-driven attitude.

"It’s one of the only sports where you’re constantly making progress."

He spends about 17 hours in the gym each week and always looks forward to it.

"It’s not a chore for me. It’s worth it when you see your results."

His dad has always been competitive and some of that has rubbed off on him.

His love of gymnastics is what led him to begin coaching at the Dunedin Gymnastics Academy, which takes about 11 hours each week.

Coaching is very rewarding for him and he finds the process helps perfect his own form as a gymnast.

Between gymnastics and school, his free time is limited.

In his spare moments Alex works as Albaro Health product manager to better the product.

As far back as he can remember, Alex wanted to be an entrepreneur. He is fully emerged in the business process and finds himself thinking about it throughout the day.

He plans to further his interest in business and continue with gymnastics while at the University of Otago.

Achievements: Head boy (2021); 1st Y.E.S business pitch challenge (2021); 1st Otago Men’s Artistic Gymnastics (2021); Southern Gymnastics Championship competition, floor, rings and high bar gold (2021); Canterbury Gymnastics Championship competition, floor, vault, parallel bars, high bar gold (2021); 5th Valeri Luikin International Invitational, high bar gold (2020); Houston National competition silver, high bars, parallel bars gold (2020); top Otago gymnast (2020); Men’s Artistic Gymnastics Otago champion (2020); NCEA level 1, 2 with excellence (2019-20); service Blues (2020).

Role model: His brother, Cameron, and Russian gymnast Nikita Nargorrny.

Hopes for the future: To study a bachelor of business majoring in entrepreneurship at the University of Otago and to continue with gymnastics.

Liberty Copson
Liberty Copson
Liberty Copson

A combination of independent hobbies and team sport has created the perfect balance for Liberty Copson (17) to succeed in all areas of her life.

She has a diverse range of achievements, including being the head girl of Bayfield High School (2021) and the winner of the academic Blues award (2019-20).

Her volleyball team took first place in the Satellite tournament and the Otago Seeding tournament (2021). She also coaches the Bayfield Junior A team.

Volleyball is an entirely team-based sport which requires complete trust in others.

On the other hand, painting is a completely independent art with space for subjectivity.

"It’s a healthy balance."

She has also proven successful in painting, her other passion.

This year Liberty was focusing on Japanese-inspired art.

Being half-Japanese, painting works inspired by her heritage makes her feel closer to home.

She has visited Japan and hopes to return soon.

Throughout her teenage years Liberty has tried many different things, not all of them successful.

Even though she found sports like tennis and futsal a poor fit, she still regrets saying no to the chance to try more things.

She believes taking a chance is vital to success and is part of the reason why she has done well across a wide range of different fields.

"When you see an opportunity you should go for it."

Becoming head girl has been a big step up in responsibility, but the diverse range of skills she has honed has helped her leadership abilities.

Volleyball has helped develop her social skills.

Although she found it difficult when she first began as head girl, her public speaking has definitely improved.

She hopes to visit Japan again soon and plans to continue her studies at the University of Otago.

Achievements: Head girl (2021); HOPE group leader (2021); 40-hour Famine leader (2021); 1st in Art (2017, 2018, 2019, 2020); 1st Satellite volleyball tournament (2021); 1st Otago Seeding tournament (2021); Coach of Junior A volleyball team (2021); Gordon Windsor Shield (2020); NCEA level 1, level 2 with excellence (2019-20); academic Blues award (2019-20).

Role model: Jacinda Ardern.

Hopes for the future: To study health science at the University of Otago and visit Japan again.

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