Vanessa Gallagher
FOR Vanessa Gallagher, it is more important she is known for her character than for her achievements.
The Dunstan High School head girl’s list of accolades covers a range of spheres — leadership, cultural and academic.
However, she places a higher value on ensuring those around her feel seen and appreciated, recognising empathy and compassion as strengths rather than weaknesses.
‘‘I’ve done a lot of things but it’s more important that people see me as more than the head girl, but as someone who is kind to them and someone who actually cares,’’ she said.
Empathy for others is something Vanessa has developed through her experience of different cultures and integrating both her ethnicities — Ghanaian and Kiwi — into her everyday life.
‘‘I think the biggest challenge I feel is that integration of both my ethnicities.
‘‘Being in New Zealand I don’t feel a lot of connection with my home community. It’s important I incorporate my Ghanaian culture in everyday life.’’
Her mother has been instrumental in helping her to keep her that culture alive.
Vanessa is driven by a strong sense of purpose and believes being intentional in her actions and words is important.
She says the diligence and perseverance to better her academic and dance performance have been formative for her, and she now applies those traits across a range of disciplines.
She is passionate about ensuring equal opportunity for people, particularly in regards to accessing medical care.
Achievements: Dunstan High School head girl (2022); NZIFSAaccredited Kiwi Skate Coach (201922); member of DHS academic, arts, service, wellbeing committees; formal committee (202122); Student Council member (2018present), Central Otago Youth Council member (2020present); Duke of Edinburgh Bronze (2020), Silver (2021), Duke of Edinburgh Gold Siberia (2022); SVA Bronze and Silver Award; NCEA overall excellence endorsed level 2 (2021), NCEA overall excellence endorsed level 1 (2020), 2019 Marine Studies Centre (University of Otago) Team Bronze Crest; Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) intermediate, advanced foundation, advanced 1 exam with merit; Scholarship to Canterbury Ballet Summer School (2020); Figure Skating Bronze Stroking Badge (2019), Figure Skating Preliminary Free Skating Badge (2018). Role model: ‘‘It would be my mother — she inspires me most because she gives so much of herself in so many ways’’ Hopes for the future: ‘‘I would really like to travel to countries and volunteer. In terms of study, I will go into first year health science or a Bachelor of Law with a minor in bioethics.’’