Flaxmere students honoured for hard work and dedication

Mary Lolohea, Flaxmere College (left); Katie Tioata, Irongate School; Faalua Perese, Flaxmere Primary; Kahlia Awa, Peterhead School; and Kalina Vaiusu, Kimi Ora Community School.

Mary Lolohea, last year's head girl of Flaxmere College, is an all-rounder, excelling in everything she tackles and was recognised for her dedication to her passion for music and helping the wider community.

During her time at the school, she performed in three major opera productions and many other performances as a student of the Prima Volta Charitable Trust, which trains teenagers in the art of opera.

Mary performed in the Elixir of Love in 2015, in La Boheme in 2016 and in Carmen last year and held the key role of Dido in the opera Dido and Aeneas as part of the 2016 Hawke's Bay Arts Festival.

She was named as her school's Proxime Accessit for 2017, receiving a Hawke's Bay Young Achievers Award, NCEA Level 3 and University Entrance among others and will attend Waikato University to study classical music and opera - becoming the first in her immediate family to attend university.

Flaxmere College principal Louise Anaru said they were extremely proud of Mary, who had achieved outstanding success at the school.

"The sky is the limit for Mary as she heads to Waikato University School of Music to study classical music and opera. She has the potential to be the next Kiri Te Kanawa or even better - the first Mary Lolohea."

Ms Anaru said she was grateful for the collaboration with Mary's whanau, the wider community, such as Flaxmere Licensing Trust and Prima Volta, together with Flaxmere College, to ensure Mary could realise her dreams.

"Well done to Henare O'Keefe and the Flaxmere Heroes Calendar for celebrating our future leaders of tomorrow such as Mary Lolohea."

Kahlia Awa, a former Peterhead School student, was recognised for her outstanding commitment to sport and training.

At just 13 years old, she has represented Hawke's Bay in netball, basketball and was a Ross Shield rugby representative - the first female captain in the history of the competition.

Peterhead School principal Martin Genet said she was a "star in the making" - an inspiration to others and who excelled in everything she was associated with.

"She is a school prefect (Winners Circle member), a very hardworking, responsible and humble person who is an inspirational role model to other students and female athletes, who all look up to her."

Katie Tioata, an honours student at Irongate School, was also acknowledged for her musical and sporting talents.

She has a lengthy list of achievements to her name; including leading her school's Polynesian group performance, and excelling in netball, cricket, touch rugby and beach 5s.

Katie is passionate about ukulele, guitar and drums and is a self-taught musician.

Flaxmere Primary School's Faalua Perese was seen as an "impeccable" role model to the rest of the school.

Principal Robyn Isaacson said it had been an absolute pleasure watching the former student grow at the school.

Now in Year 9, she is remembered for being a respectful, honest and considerate student.

"This young lady is a wonderful example of Flaxmere Primary School tamaiti toa."

Kalina Viausu, from Kimi Ora Community School, joins the April club for her acts of leadership.

As a Year 7 student, she was a school leader and will take up that role again this year, as well as kaia for choir and kapa haka and a leader in the school's Pasifika group.

Principal Matt O'Dowda said she "has always been a responsible, polite learner who strives to do her best".