Erin Aralar’s goal was to “give my all” for her final year of high school.
The Hauraki Plains College student said she wanted to focus on each assessment and “do my best”.
And it was clear the year 13 student was right on track as she snapped up the Leonard Cup for the Hauraki Plains College dux award for 2024 at the school’s prizegiving recently.
The dux champion told The Profile it was her greatest achievement, but it took a few seconds to sink in.
“I was really shocked.
“Even when I was walking up to the stage, I was like, ‘did I hear that right?’,” she said.
But that’s not all.
The top achiever also received scholarships valued at $5000 from the University of Auckland, $5000 from the University of Waikato, $5000 from the Cariad Charitable Trust, $1000 from the Haurakian Charitable Trust and a $1000 cash grant from Guillain Barré Syndrome Support Group.
Erin, who is planning to study a bachelor of engineering with honours at the University of Auckland next year, said being dux meant her learning experiences manifested into a great academic achievement.
“It makes me excited about the new things I’ll learn as I go into university.”
So far the top student, who took subjects such as art, calculus, photography, physics and digital technologies, received 37 credits and all of them were excellence, she said.
“I am on track to reach over 100 credits after externals.”
In Erin’s free time, she liked to crochet, read, paint, roller skate and play the saxophone.
“After school’s over, I’m excited to have time for my hobbies again,” she said.
Erin, who was also a member of the school’s arts council, said she had a lot of fun setting up art exhibitions and performing at the school concerts this year.
Another highlight for Erin was when she painted a mural with fellow students Emily Logan and Tiana Tanner as their contribution to leaving behind a legacy.
But the dux winner’s advice for next year’s senior students was to “take all the opportunities you can – year 13 goes by way too quickly”.
“It can be hard to juggle everything, so try to take care of yourself.”
Meanwhile, Sophy Liang received the Hauraki Plains Jaycee Cup as proxime accessit to dux.
