MAC Magazine 2019

O D T
C L A S S
A C T
JAIME TOEPFER
Scholar is the word that would
probably best define Jaime Toepfer.
The 18-year-old Mount Aspiring
College pupil has a wide range of
interests, but reading and learning
about new things are what she has
always enjoyed the most. Jaime
said she reads both fiction and
non-fiction, ranging across subjects
as diverse as politics, history and
physics, and in the holidays she would read a book every two days.
This year, as well as studying for NCEA level 3, Jaime completed online
papers in law and international relations from the University of Waikato in
the first half of the year, achieving A grades in both, and she is currently
studying a philosophy paper from the University of Canterbury.
In July and August, Jaime spent two and a half weeks at the London
International Youth Science Forum attending lectures on science and
different cultures, and visiting universities and institutes around the
United Kingdom.
Although Jaime has described herself as ‘‘quite academic’’, she said
moving to Wanaka from Auckland when she was 10-years-old gave
her the opportunity to get involved in outdoor activities such as skiing,
mountain biking and tramping.
She sailed on the Spirit of Adventure in 2016, completed a 21-day
Outward Bound course in 2018, and is working towards achieving her
gold Duke of Edinburgh Hillary Award.
As she also has Dutch citizenship, Jaime is considering studying for a
liberal arts degree in the Netherlands next year, with a view to eventually
having a career working in an embassy, the United Nations, "or somewhere
I am helping others and making a difference".
Jaime credits her success to having a supportive family, her "amazing"
friends with shared interests, and the teachers who encouraged her to further
explore her passions beyond what she was being taught in the classroom.
Achievements: NCEA levels 1 and 2 with excellence; highest number of
excellence credits at NCEA level 2 (2018); University of Waikato first-year
law and international relations papers (2019); school awards for highest
overall achievement in years 7-10, highest achiever English years 11 and
12, highest achiever biology year 12, highest achiever distance learning
year 12; academic blues (2018); academic committee member (2018-19);
attended University of Otago Gifted and Talented Marine Science Camp
(2016); Duke of Edinburgh Hillary Silver Award (2017); attended Aotearoa
Youth Declaration (2019); attended Wellington Model Westminster
(2019); awarded Royal Society Te Aparangi scholarship and selected to
attend the International Youth Science Forum in London (2019).
Role models: No role model.
Hopes for the future: To work for an embassy or the United Nations.
FLYNN ROSIE
Speaking te reo is a big part
of Flynn Rosie’s busy life.
The 17-year-old Mount
Aspiring College pupil is
part Māori and has a strong
desire to speak the language
fluently — something he
believes will help open doors
for him in future. "My Māori
culture is really important to
me. I love to speak to other
speakers whenever I find
them and I love to make sure
others can hear us speaking".
The 1.85m basketballplaying
musician never
misses a chance to further
his ability in languages.
"I’ve been studying Māori
properly at school for about
three years, and I’ve picked
up a little Brazilian Portuguese, and Mandarin. I’d love to be able to
speak heaps of languages when I’m older".
Flynn was born in Dunedin and spent his early years in Queenstown
before his family moved to Hawea Flat, where Flynn attended
primary school and began Māori language classes. When he was
10-years-old, the family went on "a bit of an adventure" to Perth for
two years while his father David worked on oil rigs.
Flynn was well accepted by his classmates at Craigie Heights
Primary School, in Joondalup, who particularly enjoyed his New
Zealand accent. "Everyone loved it. Coming from New Zealand, we
had grown up quite a bit different, such as sport-wise".
He played football and Australian Rules, and continued his interest
in basketball. He now plays for Mount Aspiring College in the Upper
Clutha men’s basketball league.
He plays guitar and has been drummer in the college jazz band and
two rock bands — Theory and Liquid Breakfast — which have done
well in the Smokefree Rockquest.
Flynn works part-time at the Big Fig restaurant, where he is able to
practice his language skills.
He expects this will help him as he begins an international business
course at the University of Otago next year.
"This will help me on to the track of foreign diplomacy and
foreign relations".
Achievements: Taha Māori award (2018); cultural and sporting
blues; Māori award; Te Waipounamu scholarship and business
award; kapahaka leader; cultural committee deputy chairman;
head Māori pupil; basketball captain (2018-19); band member
and worship team member at New Life Church; Matariki tipu hou
kapahaka member; drum teacher; involved in Yami and MACStock
music events.
Role model: Dad. "I’ve always looked up to him, often without
even realising".
Hopes for the future: To study business at the University of Otago
and travel the world.
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