Anna MacKenzie
Big sisters Paula and Veronica both received Class Act nomination in their respective final years, and Veronica will feature in her 10-years-on report this spring.
"My family’s pretty excited. They’re always proud of me as long as I do my best."
Brought up on a Waipahi farm, animals had always played a huge part in the 17-year-old’s life.
"One of my first memories is having pet lambs. And, after that, always wanting to steal them if there was one that might need looking after."
Over the years, this had evolved into a desire to become a vet.
"I’ve grown up watching how vets help animals — and the farmers, too.
"I was lucky enough to have some work experience at Vet South here in Tapanui last year, which I loved.
"I got to vaccinate a couple of dogs, and to experience the tougher side of being a vet too, when they [animals] get put down.
"I love working on my family’s farm, so this is definitely where I want to be."
Outside of her wide-ranging academic interests, Anna said she enjoyed dance and music, and had recently resumed learning the violin.
She gave credit to the many opportunities she had had at her college, and said she was now ready to move onwards into her tertiary studies.
"I’m excited to move on from school and get started on the next chapter.
"But I’ll miss the farm and, most of all, Pippa my dog."
Achievements: Level 1 with excellence endorsement; Level 2 with merit endorsement; Top Scholar Award & General Excellence Award, 1st in English, science, woodwork, food technology, 2nd in maths (2020); General Excellence Award & science prize, 1st in woodwork, English, maths, biology, chemistry and physics, and top design technology student (2021); Vet South Tapanui work experience (2021); Wanaka Challenge Triathlon 3rd (team, cyclist, 2021); Otago Secondary School javelin 3rd (2021); Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award (2021), silver and gold ongoing (2022); B netball, player manager this year (2021-22); performing arts senior instrumental 2nd (2021); Grip Leadership Course (2021); PB4L badges (2021-22); SADD, inter-house competition, lunchtime activities committees (2022); WOTS performer (2022); peer support leader (2022); Outward Bound Mind, Body and Soul Course (2022); house leader and prefect (2022); violin, Suzuki book 2 (2022).
Role model: My parents for their strong values, and my siblings for their achievements in life.
Hopes for the future: Study veterinary science at Massey University
Olivia Crawford
The Waikoikoi farm girl has focused on developing her public speaking and leadership skills, efforts acknowledged by her nomination as Gore District Youth Council chairwoman for the past two years.
Olivia loves to step up in front of an audience and, in the future, looks forward to being a strong voice for farming and her community.
"There needs to be more education for the general public.
"Farmers are doing a whole lot more towards environmental protection that people just don’t realise and, without farming, New Zealand wouldn’t have such a strong economy.
"I’d like to show people the broader perspective."
Her interests in the business side of farming had grown during the past year.
"I’d like to combine commerce with my ag studies next year.
"There’s so much to the business of farming. You’re not just a mechanic, a scanner, vet nurse. You’re doing something different every day."
Although she had tried her hand at dairy, her heart remained in woollier realms.
"I’d like to come back to farm sheep one day, like my family."
Achievements: Level 1 with excellence endorsement; Level 2 with merit endorsement; Level 1 excellence agriculture; best all-round student (2020); Premier Scholar Level 1 (2020); senior cultural excellence awards, dance, drama cup (2020); senior academic excellence awards, agriculture (2020), food technology (2020/21); ballet grade 6 to intermediate foundation, distinction (2020); speech and drama grade 6 modules 1 and 2, merit plus (2020); netball club 3rd place (2020); NZQA Hospitality Industry certificate
(2020); Lions Youth Leadership Course (2021); Cultural Blue for public speaking (2021); drama productions (2021/22); student council (2021/22); uniform committee (2021/22); speech and drama module 3, communications, honours plus (2021), ballet intermediate foundation assessment (2021); Teen Ag Club secretary (2021/22); Gore District Youth Council chairwoman (2021/22); NZQA Food Handling certificate (2021); Leader of the Year Award (2022); Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award (2022); school farm, formal, student hub lunchtime activities and magazine committees (2022); peer support leader and social organiser (2022); ballet grade 8 (2022, ongoing); speech and drama public speaking grade 4 (2022, ongoing); house leader and prefect (2022); PB4L all badges and honours board (2022); attended AYD Conference (2022); attended Strong Communities Murihiku (2022).
Role model: Writer and playwright Monica Moore, for inspiring me to just do it.
Hopes for the future: Study commerce and agriculture at Lincoln University, then enter farming.
