Tuesday, November 14, 2017
OPOTIKI College Dux for 2017 Emma Handley, is on her way to study a Bachelor of Science, majoring in Psychology, at the University of Waikato. Photos supplied
Ross McCullough
OPOTIKI College 2017 Dux Emma Handley has received a $25,000 scholarship from the University of Waikato.
The scholarship is one of only 20 awarded nationwide by the university, and is based on academic excellence, leadership potential, and community citizenship.
Miss Handley has gained 80 percent of her Level 3 credits at excellence level and will achieve an Excellence endorsement at Level 3 this year, putting her in the top percentile of all students in New Zealand, college principal Susan Impey said at last Tuesday evening’s prize giving.
Mrs Impey said the scholarship was extremely well deserved for Miss Handley, who had worked tirelessly the past five years to attain excellence.
Next year she will be studying for a Bachelor of Science degree, majoring in psychology at Waikato University, and the Te Paewai o te Rangi scholarship will be a great help with her studies.
The Rotary Club of Opotiki also provided her with a financial award.
Dux is the highest academic award at school and recognises top academic achievement.
Outlining Miss Handley’s many achievements throughout her secondary schooling, Mrs Impey said after arriving at the college from Omarumutu and St Joseph’s primary schools, Emma quickly set a benchmark for herself becoming Junior Dux in year 10, and that paved the way for what was to come.
She gained first in English, social sciences, mathematics, science and accounting in year 11 and followed those achievements with first placings in every subject she studied, including English, mathematics, biology, chemistry, physics, and accounting by correspondence.
This year she was first in chemistry, physics, biology, and maths with statistics and picked up the mathematics prize.
Mrs Impey said Miss Handley had many other commitments such as being an academic leader for Mansfield House, and volunteering for her church with her even travelling to the islands last year to help.
“She manages to work part time and is extremely well organised. She is highly intelligent and combines this with a great work ethic as well as being humble and a little bit quirky.”
This year’s runner-up to the dux or Proxime Accessit, was jointly awarded to Jemma Rudkin and Lauren Harte.
Both previously attended Woodlands and Waiotahe primary schools.
Miss Rudkin gained a first in English and History this year and Miss Harte first in physical education, outdoor education and geography.
Another notable achievement in year 13 was Nikita Moore who picked up three prizes, including the BNZ prize for practical English, cafe hospitality, and the Sir George Seymour Trophy for tourism.
In year 12, Brenna Dew collected three prizes covering subjects health and statistics and history, along with the Lions Club of Opotiki English prize.
Keely Carter has signalled next year she could be the top contender for dux, collecting five prizes; mathematics with statistics, physics, the Perpetual Cup donated by SWAP for young enterprise, a Massey University Certificate, and was first equal with Miss Handley in biology.