Maz Patch Cameron

MAZ Cameron takes hold of every opportunity that comes his way, whether it be at school, on the sports field or the theatre stage.

The Dunstan High School deputy head boy has a raft of achievements across a number of disciplines to his name, but it is his nomination for the Otago Southland Theatre Awards he classes as his proudest moment.

Maz’s portrayal of Seymour Krelborn in Little Shop of Horrors earned him a nomination for leading male in a musical.

‘‘Going into that role I wasn’t overly confident in my ability — particularly my singing. The time and work I had to put in — and effort from the people around that they put into me — to get a nomination was a great recognition for that work,’’ he said.

Learning from experiences that take him out of his comfort zone, Maz has found forward thinking and ‘‘sheer curiosity’’ help when it comes to getting stuck into things he has never tried before.

He hopes through stepping out of his comfort zone he is able to give back to others, especially those who have been instrumental to helping him succeed.

‘‘My family, friends and the community have given me so much. I just want to see people happy and successful in what they’re doing.’’

Achievements Dunstan High School deputy head boy (2022), arts committee leader (2021), sustainability committee leader (2020), vicecaptain DHS cricket First XI, captain Central Otago Football age grade (20182020), member of academic, arts, media, service, sustainability, wellbeing, sports committees, Sticks n Stones (2017present), Dunstanza Choir South Island Big Sing Cadenza Competition (2022), Showquest (2022,2021), Central Otago most promising debater (2019), Central Otago Youth Council (2020present), NCEA overall excellence endorsed at Level 2 to 100 excellence club NCEA Level 2 (2021), NCEA overall excellence endorsed at Level 1 to 100 excellence club NCEA Level 1 (2020), Student Volunteer Army bronze and silver, Duke of Edinburgh — gold, silver, bronze (20192022), Otago Country Cricket representative (2016present), UN Summit Wanaka (2020present), Get2Go Otago/Southland adventure racing champions(2019), Role model ‘‘My mum. She’s got an incredible ability to put others first.’’ Hopes for the future ‘‘I want to make a tangible difference in the world — what that is I don’t know yet. I see that through the medical field and the environment field to do this. I’m keeping my options open for study but am looking at studying either engineering or medicine.’’