Emily Hansen has illustrated her talent by winning a top graphics award from The Correspondence School.
The Napier teenager won the Reta Watson Prize for Excellence in Graphics for Year 7 to 10 students, an award which took her by surprise.
"I honestly didn't think I would get a prize for graphics,"
Emily, 14, said.
"I was just having a bit of fun I didn't expect it at all."
Emily has been learning through correspondence for the last five years studying a variety of curriculum subjects.
"I like having the freedom to work at my own pace," she said.
The majority of her learning had been done online through an interactive system which links her to other correspondence students throughout the country.
Last year was the first time she had to learn using booklets instead for her NCEA Level 1 papers.
Mother Sandra Hansen said correspondence had given Emily flexible learning hours and a chance to study subjects that often weren't offered in the classroom. "It's a whole different world really," she said. "It's been really enjoyable for her."
Emily was looking to start at Napier Girls' High School this year to continue her studies.
