GRADE 10 learner, Jyothishna Jugdaw, is a remarkable young lass, truly exemplifying Hillcrest High School’s values of “honour, hard work and service”.
Not only has she maintained her academic position in the top three of the grade achieving A+ aggregates throughout her high school career to date, but she has also served extensively, including on the Representative Council of Learners (RCL) for the last two years, in Interact (Rotary’s school arm), in the Hindu Students’ Association, as well as serving as vice-president and president of the People to People International committee.
Her achievements include participating in the Eskom Expo for Young Scientists, where she won gold, best female project, best project in category and a special award in the category of environmental sciences. She went on to represent KZN central at the International Science Fair.
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Earlier this year, she also represented KZN at the inter-provincial South African Youth Water prize competition. She was the only KZN representative and came close to winning the competition for her ‘Home Solar Powered Grey Water Filtration System’ project – and was commended by the judges on her “excellent project”.
She won a laptop and was also awarded a bursary (covering tuition, accommodation, meals and books) by the deputy minister of Water and Sanitation, to study towards a career in the water sector at a university of her choice in South Africa.
Jyothishna is also a keen debater, advancing to the finals in the Durban and Coastal debating league in 2016 and this year, was selected to compete in KZN debating provincials, as part of the Durban and Coastal Debating League team, where she was subsequently selected as a senior reserve for KZN. She also qualified for the Durban and Coastal Debating league quarter finals, set to take place next week.
In these past July holidays, she jetted off to the Czech Republic with her team of debaters, to participate in the prestigious ‘Heart of Europe’ debating tournament, where Hillcrest High School was proud to be invited to compete and was the only school from South Africa to compete (24 countries were represented). Although a year younger than most of her teammates, Jyothishna more than held her own.
Commenting on the best part of school, Jyothishna said that it has to be the family environment that Hillcrest High has offered her ever since she joined the school in Grade 8.
“The diversity that is prevalent within the school has also enriched me as a person – I have been able to build relationships with both students and teachers whose culture and opinions differ to my own. Together we have experienced the amazing opportunities that our school has afforded us.”
After matriculating, Jyothishna hopes to attend university either in South Africa or abroad – either in business or science, as she has a passion for both and hopes to leave a positive legacy whatever path she chooses.
Her advice to others, “Although school and life in general may become stressful at times, always stay determined, and persevere in all your endeavours. Do everything you can to reach your full potential. All the hard work really does pay off.”
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