Helena Hornbacher
It has to be, to manage her hectic schedule, which is unlikely to change when she heads to university.
Helena enjoys learning in general so took a wide range of subjects, ranging from German, chemistry, drama, history and English to a university-level maths paper.
Music has also been a strong theme throughout her high school years.
She completed NCEA music in 2021, and continued it through extracurriculars this year.
She is applying for "a bunch" of universities before deciding where she wants to complete her double degree — a bachelor of laws and a bachelor of arts, focusing primarily on politics, philosophy, economics and international relations.
Helena also hopes to do some papers in maths or the performing arts, "just because they’re fun".
As to her future career, Helena hopes to combine law and politics, for example, in diplomacy or public law.
Role model: Siblings Melina O’Keeffe and Etienne Hornbacher.
Hopes for the future: To make a difference and have a positive impact.
Achievements: Academic lead prefect (2021 & 2022); Ad Alta (2018-22); Ad Alta Blue (2018-22); Ad Alta Gold (2019-21); Bronze Excellence Award (2019-22); Silver Excellence Award (2020-22); Gold Excellence Award (2020-21); Principal’s Award (2018-21); cultural achievement blue (2018-21); Cultural Commendation (2019-21); Pounamu Award (excellence endorsement NCEA levels 1, 2 and 3) (2022); NCEA Scholarship drama and German (2021); distinction (L3 German) (2021); commendation (chemistry, drama, English and history) (2021); ICAS Medal winner (English and writing) (2021); distinction (English) (2020); commendation (drama and science) (2020); ICAS Medal winner (English) (2020); ICAS credit (maths and science) (2020); distinction (critical thinking in the humanities, science, English and Mandarin) (2019); commendation (drama and English) (2019); ICAS distinction (English) (2019); ICAS credit (maths) (2019); Bronze, Silver and Gold Akonga Awards (2019); Robertson Family Trophy for All-Round Effort and Participation (2019); Wakatipu Lions Club Trophy for Excellence in Writing (2019); Wakatipu High School Trophy for Outstanding Potential in Junior Drama (2019); distinction (music) (2018); commendation (English, maths, social studies and drama) (2018).
Jacob Wilkinson
The Wakatipu High School pupil plans to head to the University of Canterbury next year.
There he plans to study for a bachelor of science degree with a major in mathematics, with a longer-term view to get into research and lecturing at a university.
It is the same university where his grandfather, Dr Peter Renaud, was head of the mathematics and physics department.
Jacob is taking a third-year university course in mathematics.
He has already received an A+ in three second-year courses and says he enjoys the process of learning, particularly in mathematics and sciences.
"They make logical sense to me and I like that.
"I like it when things come together and make sense, like maths and science usually does."
While, in future, he wants to become involved in research, he is not yet sure which field that would be in.
Meanwhile, the talented pianist, who this year received a gold grading at the Blenheim Jazz Festival for jazz piano in the ensemble, says he also plans to continue tinkling the ivories.
"I started playing the piano when I was about 4 — my mum made me — and then a couple more years after that I actually started to enjoy it.
"I’m looking at halls at university that have pianos, because I would like to keep going."
Achievements: Ad Alta (2019, 2021, 2022), Ad Alta Blue (2019, 2022), Gold Excellence Award (2019, 2021), Silver and Bronze Excellence Awards (2018-21); musical band and jazz band (2020-22), Pounamu Award (excellence endorsement NCEA Level 2 and 3) (2022); Pounamu Award (excellence endorsement NCEA Level 2), Academic Award — distinction for chemistry, music and physics, gold, silver and bronze excellence awards, Principal’s Award (2018-21) cultural achievement Blues (2020-21); calculus scholarship, Big Band (2021); commendations for biology, chemistry and physics, Science Buskers Academy, JazzQuest ensemble (2020); Academic Award — distinction for English (visual) and calculus, commendation for French, cultural commendation certificate, commendation for all-round effort and participation, Bronze Akonga Passport (2019); Academic Award — commendation for science, English, music, distinction for maths with calculus, music and social studies — difficult decisions (2018).
Role model: Dr Peter Renaud
Plans for the future: University lecturer
