Jessamy Wales
WHEN it comes to inspiration, Jessamy Wales has plenty of it in her own family.
The Roxburgh Area School head pupil says her role models are her three elder sisters — a lawyer, an apprentice engineer and a commerce degree graduate, who has just started a medical degree.
She says all of them ‘‘are just so incredibly hardworking and excelling in what they’re doing’’.
So, however, is Jessamy.
She has achieved subject endorsements in every subject so far in NCEA levels 1 and 2.
‘‘I’m pretty proud of that’’.
Now, the 17yearold is eyeing up the University of Otago next year, to embark on a health science degree, ultimately aiming to become a physiotherapist.
‘‘I think I would like to be part of sport rehab — that would be my ideal. It would be awesome if I could work with national teams, but we’ll see.’’
The talented young horsewoman travelled to China with the New
Zealand Pony Clubs Association’s showjumping team in 2019, which was ‘‘definitely a highlight’’.
She has also played netball since the age of 7.
For the past two years, Jessamy was goal shoot for the Southern Area Schools netball team, and she intends to keep playing the sport next year, albeit socially.
And, while a little nervous about the impending change — moving from a school with a total roll of 140 from new entrants to year 13 to Dunedin — she was also excited about what was to come, Jessamy said.
Achievements: Roxburgh Area School A netball team (202022); netball coach (202022); Southern Area Schools netball (202122); volleyball (202122); Pioneer Energy Science Scholarship (202021); Perris Cup for public speaking, board of trustees representative, head pupil (2022); excellence endorsement NCEA level 2, Duke of Edinburgh Silver Award, South Island Area Schools netball B team, basketball (2021); excellence endorsement NCEA level 1, Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award, CETA Medal for excellence in a commercial subject (accounting) (2020); New Zealand Pony Club Association showjumping team (2019); South Island Pony Club Showjumping Championships most points intermediate rider (2018). Role models: Three older sisters Hopes for the future: Physiotherapist with a focus on sport rehabilitation