Daily Post Youth in Excellence Awards

28th February 2005

Today we begin profiles of some of the region's top young performers as part of The Daily Post Youth in Excellence Awards. Featured are top academic student Gloria So-Yeon Kim from Rotorua Girls' High School and successful public speaker Rotorua Boys' High School head boy Paul Spurdle.



By ABIGAIL CASPARI in Rotorua

Rotorua's Gloria So-Yeon Kim is a top academic student at her school.

The Year 13 student at Rotorua Girls' High School, who is a recipient of The Daily Post Youth in Excellence Award, never fails to impress her teachers with her outstanding marks.

As a Year 11 student she gained the highest number of credits of 142 for level one of NCEA. Last year as a Year 12 student she gained 162 credits for level two of NCEA and the highest number of excellences.

She was top in physics, chemistry, biology and drama last year and top in drama, history, mathematics, science and music in Year 11.

In her earlier years at the school she was the junior dux.



"Gloria does not restrict herself to academic pursuits but has participated fully in school life in many other fields," deputy principal Alison Dalgliesh said.

Gloria is a member of the school's 1st XI soccer side, has competed in the school's cultural and talent quests, debating and the Stage Challenge.



Her attendance record is outstanding.

Gloria is still deciding whether to pursue a career in law or medicine.

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Talented public speaker Rotorua Boys' High School student Paul Spurdle has no qualms about getting up in front of an audience.

The Year 13 student, who also receives The Daily Post Youth in Excellence Award today, is the school's top debater and public speaker.

Principal Chris Grinter describes Paul as a "talented young man and an able scholar".

As well as having the makings of a great leader Paul has also excelled in the performing arts.

The 17-year-old is expected to do well on the national scene this year and in the future in debating, public speaking, drama and theatre sports.

Paul will certainly get a lot of opportunities to practise his public speaking skills this year with his new role as head boy - a position Mr Grinter is confident Paul will handle well.

He was a member of the team that won the Super 8 Schools debating championship and the annual debate with Rotorua Girls' High School last year.

Last year Paul also helped his team to victory in a debate against three well-experienced public speakers National MPs Maurice Williamson, Wayne Mapp and Lindsay Tisch last year on the importance of not changing the New Zealand flag.

Paul has been a member of the school's theatre sports team that also won at the Super 8 competitions and he has been part of the Bay of Plenty Shakespeare group.

In Year 11 he was the oratory champion in the school and over the years he has proved he is the school's top debater, Mr Grinter said.

Paul plans to study law next year.