Finalists used to being in spotlight

WHILE some of this year’s Herald Continental Matric of the Year finalists might be a little nervous to take centre stage, others live for the spotlight.

These include drama buffs Channah du Plessis and Inga Mpepanduku, vocalist and poet Yolanda Mngcongo, nationally ranked Irish dancer Ashleigh Marx and award-winning musician Amica de Jager.

Channah has graced the stage as part of the team that won Cradock High School’s drama competition and took part in the ATKV drama competitions in Cape Town.

The Cradock High head girl is a keen athlete with national colours in laser-run.

Last year, she participated in the world biathle championships in Florida, US, ranking 10th for women U19. She has now been selected to participate in the world biathle championships in Viviero, Spain.

Port Alfred High’s Inga had the lead role in her school’s production of My Fair Lady.

The first-team hockey player has received academic honours every year since 2013 and has been top achiever in her grade since starting high school.

The future accountant says her biggest achievement to date is working with a group that distributed more than 150 reusable sanitary towels to underprivileged girls, helping to cut absenteeism.

Ashleigh, from Theodor Herzl High School, has been involved in multiple outreach programmes, from volunteering at babies’ homes and animal welfare organisations to hosting events for underprivileged children.

She ranked second at the South African Irish Dancing Championships in 2014 and is an award-winning hockey player as well as part of the Eastern Province athletics team.

The future medical student also completed the Toastmasters International Youth Leadership programme last year.

St James Secondary School head girl Yolanda is also a talented public speaker.

She writes and performs poetry and is lead vocalist for her school choir.

She is passionate about her work with TADA (Teenagers Against Drug Abuse).

Her academic achievements have seen her become part of Nelson Mandela University’s STEM in ACTION programme and receive a scholarship as part of the African Scholars Fund.

Amica, from Woodridge College, has been honoured with the JJ du Plessis Memorial Scholarship Award for her academic and extramural activities.

She is the first Woodridge pupil in 20 years to have three honours awards – for swimming, lifesaving and academics.

She plays the piano and electric guitar and was part of the Knock on Wood Arts Festival, where she walked away with a silver award for piano, a bronze award for creative writing and a gold for visual art.

She is part of the SA open water swimming team, an SA lifesaver and was named Junior Lifesaver of the Year this year.