Congratulations to Max Wiegersma, Briar Sharp and Madelyn Chittock for receiving a Rotary Young Achievers Award. We are very proud of them and commend them on their efforts.

Here are their citations:

Briar Sharp

Singing from a song sheet is only the start of Briar’s achievements. A humble, committed young lady, Briar excels both in and out of school.

Briar adores learning and thrives in all environments. Her work ethic and positive attitude ensures Briar has academic success. In 2022, Briar achieved first place in her class for Food Technology and Music. Briar also received a Diligence award. Briar was the recipient of the Year 7 Young Achievers award. This year, Briar has received excellences in Music and English.

Briar not only excels academically, but she is also more than comfortable in the sporting arena. Her talents in both Showjumping and Hockey have been recognised with high honours. In 2022, Briar was a member of the St Peter’s College Show Jumping team which won the Otago/Southland interschools. Briar was the Dressage Southland winter series Level 2 Champion. This year, Briar competed in the New Zealand Show Jumping Nationals and gained 2nd place in the Pony Champ class, and first in the Equitation class and Hi Points Championship. In 2023, Briar was in the Eastern Southland Under 13 representative girls Hockey team which was unbeaten at the southern festival.

On the stage, is another place where Briar shines. In 2022, Briar was awarded the Gold Star Country Music talent winner, New Zealand Country Music Junior entertainer of the year, Eisteddfod Year 7 Champion, receiving the “Father Michael Hill” trophy for her own composition. She also achieved the Eisteddfod Diligence prize - New Zealand Modern School of Music. In 2022, Briar also represented St Peter’s College at the Eastern Southland Speech Competition. In 2023, Briar was a valuable member of the St Peter’s College “Back to the 80s” production. She received Honours with Distinction for her Contemporary Dance exam and received Honours in her Jazz exam. Briar was the winner of the Matamata Country Music awards, a finalist at the Gore Gold Guitar Awards and runner up for the Junior New Zealand Country Music Entertainer of the Year. The paper is certainly not big enough for this young lady's achievements.

Briar gives back to our community by singing at the St Andrews Presbyterian Christmas concert and being Captain at the Pony Club break up gymkhana where she encourages younger riders. Briar also sings at workshops to encourage new songwriters.

Briar shows compassion to all those around her and is a great listener to her peers. Her bright and bubbly personality and kind, caring nature ensures she is a great support to everyone. It is an absolute pleasure to congratulate and celebrate Briar as a St Peter’s College Rotary Young Achiever.

Madelyn Chittock

Madelyn, a dedicated and committed student who gives 100% in all aspects of school life!

Academically, Madelyn is an extremely devoted student. In 2022, Madelyn was placed 1st in her class for Religious Education, Physical Education, Science and received a Diligence award. Madelyn is a competent public speaker and participated in the Year 7 and 8 School Speech Competitions, gaining a pleasing 2nd place in Year 7.

Madelyn is a high achiever in Mathematics gaining 100% accuracy in all basic facts tests throughout the year. Madelyn competed in the SMAC Maths competition in consecutive years and showed excellent work ethic. In Year 8, Madelyn was selected to participate in the University of Otago Problem Solving Challenge.

On the sports field, Madelyn is an achiever. She is a team player who displays leadership on and off the field through her calm and considered approach. Madelyn was the 7A Captain of her Netball team and Co-caption of the 8A Netball team. This year, Madelyn was awarded the most valuable player for her netball team. During Years 7 and 8, Madelyn showed her cricket skills by playing for the school cricket team as well as being in the Southland Under 14 girls Cricket team. Madelyn enjoys athletics. In the last two years she represented St Peter’s College at Eastern Southland Athletics. Impressive results include 1st place in shotput, 3rd in 100 m and 3rd in discuss. Madelyn also enjoys being an active member of her Touch Rugby team. Madelyn plays rugby with passion and commitment and was recognised this year by being the Most Valuable Player for the St Peter’s Girls Rugby and known for her accurate tackling ability.

Madelyn gives back to the community by refereeing junior and intermediate Touch Rugby games and also received a Community badge from St Peter’s College. Madelyn has been a member of the St Peter's College Young Farmers and competed at regionals.

Madelyn is an outstanding student who continuously demonstrates the school values of commitment, compassion and community in all aspects of school life. Madelyn is well respected by her peers and is a loyal friend to those around her. She comes to school every day, organised and ready to learn. We are very proud to celebrate Madelyn as a Rotary Young Achiever for St Peter’s College.

Max Wiegersma

If Max sets his mind to something he finds a way to achieve it. His dedication towards this chosen goal is highly commendable.

Academically, Max thrives when solving mathematical equations. In 2022 and 2023, Max participated in the Otago University Problem Solving Challenge. He gained Excellence in this competition in 2022. In 2023 he was placed in the top 100 for this competition and competed in a final challenge. For the last two years, Max has been an integral part of the St Peter’s College SMAC Maths team for his year level.

Max’s work ethic is self-evident in his sporting abilities. Athletics is where Max shines. In 2022, Max gained 1st place in all his school athletic events, breaking school records in both the 800m and high jump. As a result of these efforts, he was crowned the Under 12 Athletics Champion. Max went on to compete in the Southland Primary Schools Athletics, where he placed 1st in the 800m, 1st in 200m, and 3rd in 100m.

This year, Max moved to the next level at the South Island Colgate Games. Max placed 1st in both the 800m and 1500m. Once again, Max broke school records – this time for the 200m and 800m and was named the St Peter's College Under 13 Athletics Champion. At the Southland Primary School Athletics Max achieved 1st place in the 800m, 1500m, 200m, relay and fourth in long jump. In 2022 and 2023 Max was awarded the most points for the Waverley Shield 11- and 12-year-old boys. In 2022 and 2023, Max was also awarded Gore’s highest performer at the Southland Championships and was awarded Athletics Gore’s ‘most promising athlete’.

In 2023, Max turned his hand to triathlon with immediate success. In his first year in this discipline Max placed 2nd in the Gore Junior triathlon. Max went on to compete in the Southland Triathlon Championships where he was named the Junior Male Champion. Max was part of the winning Year 8 team at the Wanaka Challenge before gaining second in the Southland Secondary Schools Triathlon. As if Max had not done enough already, he challenged himself to compete at the New Zealand Secondary Schools Triathlon where he was placed seventh.

Max also excels on his mountain bike. In 2022, Max took part in the Bannockburn Mountain Bike Classic sports race where he placed 1st in the Under 18 Males section and 2nd Overall. In 2023, Max placed 1st in the Glenham Trainwreck mountain bike race.

Max is a strong cross-country runner. In 2023, he competed in the Moonshine 5km Trail, placing 3rd in the Under 15 Boys division and placed third overall. Max was the St Peter’s College Cross Country Champion and won the Eastern Southland 13-year-old Boys section. Max went on to place 2nd in the Southland Primary Schools Cross Country for 13-year-old boys. This year, Max was part of a team that placed 1st in the Otago Southland Cross Country Relay School Championships Under 15 Junior Mixed.

Both hockey and rugby are also a strength. Max was part of the Eastern Black Hockey team in 2023. Max was named the most valuable player for this team.

Max was part of the SPC A Grade Rugby team over the last two years. In 2023 he was named player of the year. Max was a member of the 2023 SPC U13 Rugby Festival team that competed in a national tournament. The team was announced as the U13 team of the tournament.

Max contributes to his community by cleaning the church, mowing lawns, and helping juniors on the sports field. An absolute highlight is his commitment to all areas of his life. Max takes an all or nothing approach to his chosen endeavors.

We are thrilled to celebrate Max as a recipient of the Rotary Young Achievers award.