Year 12 St Paul’s Collegiate School student Jessica Hood paid a visit to Hamilton City Council where she was awarded the 2016 Altrusa Youth Award by Mayor Julie Hardaker on Tuesday 18 October.
The award recognises exceptional all-round Year 12 students from across Hamilton.
Associate Headmaster of St Paul’s, Ainsley Robson, nominated Jess for the award because she “exemplifies all of the qualities of the award: diligence, responsibility, service, honesty and humility.”
“She works extremely hard and is focused and driven to achieve to the best of her ability,” Mr Robson said.
“Her enthusiasm, optimism and determination is inspirational.”
Jess is highly active in the school’s cultural scene. She played the lead role of Laurey Williams in the production of Oklahoma! and is the lead singer in the Hamilton House music group.
The 17-year-old is also a very talented athlete who is a national 400m sprint title holder and a member of St Paul’s Open A netball team.
In her free time, she visits decile one primary schools in the Hamilton area to volunteer her time as part of the St Paul’s Over the Fence Ministry service programme.
She does all of this while maintaining exceptional academic marks, having achieved an Excellence endorsement at NCEA Level 1 and a 94 percent grade point average.
