The year 2020 will not be easily forgotten and while some experienced several challenges, Cody Collins, a Gr 12 learner at Technical High School Tom Naudé made the best of it and worked hard to claim the number one spot in his grade.
“This year I worked harder than ever before. As the teacher read out the top 10 learners my heart was pounding. When I heard my name being called as the top learner I was ecstatic, out of my skin,” he recalled after the school’s recent prize- giving.
Cody started his school career at Laerskool Pietersburg-Noord Primary and after attending an open day at Tom Naudé he realised this was his future high school. He says he liked the subjects they offered and the fact that he would be able to work in the workshops.
“I felt it was a perfect fit and the best opportunity for me to lay the foundation for my future. I decided to study computer engineering at the University of Pretoria. This was decided even before I received R10 000 for being awarded the dux learner. The money will be paid to me after my registration at the university. It is a four-year degree and afterwards, I plan to major in Artificial Intelligence (AI). My role model is Elon Musk. He inspired my career choice as he is a South African who is busy changing the world with his breakthroughs in technology.”
Cody looks forward to achieving seven distinctions, and he says the way he studies depends on the subject. For some subjects working through old examination papers works while for others summarising the work is a better way of learning.
Apart from academics, Cody also participated in sport, especially high jump. In Gr 8 and 9 he was part of the soccer team and in Gr 10 he played rugby. At the end of his Gr 10 year, he was injured resulting in a sportless Gr 11 year. “At least I could once again participate in athletics at the beginning of this year, and it was my best season. I will miss all our athletic trips to other schools, inter-high, school dances and other school events. I enjoyed the school and will miss the people.”
Story: Maretha Swanepoel
