Their Treet Yourself entry won the Young Enterprise Scheme national title.
College principal Aloma Williams said the Young Enterprise Scheme had been running at the school for the past 13 years and had amassed nine regional champions, but this was the first national win.
YES Southland regional co-ordinator Leanne Humphrey said 1997 was the last time a Southland entry had won the national title — well before Caleb and Brodie were born.
"[Everyone at our table] just screamed ... we were just crying and hugging each other — it was a surreal moment."
She believed their viable commercial entry gave them a good shot at the top prize.
"It just reinforces why we do what we do. There’s a lot of input from our whole business community and when we get a gem like that, it just pays for itself."
Both students came from rural backgrounds and understood the importance of tree plantings on rural properties.
In 2024, the business shifted its native tree planting business from using its Minecraft marketing tool to using AI-generated visuals to show prospective clients native tree planting concepts on their property.
Its turnover boosted from $6000 in 2023 to $22,000 gross profit this year and the pair already had $60,000 of sales lined up for 2025.
It won multiple 2024 Southland divisions, including the awards for financial excellence and for sales and marketing, was named Southland company of the year 2024 and Caleb was awarded the YES entrepreneur 2024 title.
Caleb said the win was exciting but it still felt surreal.
"Waiting for the last bit was heart-pumping.
"I just got up and shook Brodie’s hand and that walk to the stage felt pretty cool."
Brodie said he had been hoping for a podium position.
"Then as they called out second and third, wondering ‘could this be us?’.
"It was surreal. I texted Mum straight away."
The pair thought they would remain involved on the YES fringes for a couple of years to help others.
"I’d say if you develop a really solid idea, just go all out — be relentless. The sky is the limit.
"It’s a great time to have all the resources available. It’s still high school. Just absolutely explore it and see where it goes," Brodie said.
Southland Business Chamber chief executive Sheree Carey was thrilled to see the Southland team take out the top spot.
Treet Yourself Contracting’s win was a testament to the hard work, creativity, and determination of the students.
"It’s incredible to see their success celebrated on the national stage, and we couldn’t be prouder of their achievement."
"The Southland Business Chamber has supported the programme in the Southern region for many years, and we’ve seen so many talented teams come close — but this is a huge milestone for our region."
Ms Williams said the win reflected the effort and hard work Treet Yourself had put into it for the past two years.
"They’re both amazing role models, but this also just another way to show all our students that if you put your mind to it, get your head and and commit, you can achieve anything."
Aparima YES mentor Lynne Grove said the results were a culmination of many years of work.
The pair planned to project manage their business from the University of Otago where Caleb would be studying for a bachelor of commerce and Brodie focused law and psychology.
Mrs Humphrey said the pair would now work with Coin South to secure intellectual property protection for the business.
