Waitaki Boys High School pupil Arthur Milne (18) says school life is short so he is sucking up all the opportunities on offer "like a sponge".
He is one of the school's top scholars in NCEA Level 1 and 2.
Earlier this year, he won the Oamaru/Timaru Regional Rotary Speech Competition and went on to gain third place in the South Island final.
He was also winner of the Upper Waitaki RSA Essay Competition.
Arthur contributes to school life as deputy head of house and hostel, captain of the Waitaki Boys senior debating team, the student representative on the Board of Trustees, a member of the student council, the World Vision 20 Hour Run organising committee and the school production.
Outside the classroom, Arthur has had a successful year in athletics, winning the Aoraki Region discus event and was sixth in the South Island U19 boys' discus event.
He is also a member of the school's ski team and 2nd XV rugby team.
Arthur hopes to turn his passion for art and design into a career as an architect by studying at Victoria University next year.
Achievements: 1st Oamaru/Timaru Rotary Speech Competition (2008); 3rd South Island Rotary Speech Competition; 1st Upper Waitaki RSA Essay Competition; 1st Aoraki Region discus (2008); Spirit of Adventure (2008); World Vision One on One Leadership Day (2008).
Role models: I like people with perseverance and determination, and those who use their fame and influence to help others in need.
Hopes for the future: To study architecture at Victoria University.