Top matric Lyle shines through for Muir
IN a great testament to hard work, Muir College Boys' High School pupil Lyle Ressouw broke Grey High's winning streak and was crowned the Eastern Cape's top matriculant.
Lyle became the first Muirite to bag the coveted Herald Continental Matric of the Year title, ending the four-year reign of Port Elizabeth's Grey High School.
The Uitenhage pupil was also the winner of the academic excellence category.
Humansdorp High School pupil Maudene van Rooyen was the scholarship award winner, walking away with a full bursary to study at Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University.
The sports category award went to Grey pupil Johann van Niekerk, while Queenstown Girls' High School pupil Marteli Potgieter bagged the community development award.
Victoria Park High's Daniella Patsalos walked away with the cultural achievement award.
The cream of the province's academic crop were celebrated at the awards function at the Athenaeum on Friday night, with the 20 finalists walking away with amazing prizes.
Lyle's proud and highly emotional parents, Bernard and Durrel, accepted the award on his behalf as he was in the UK.
Durrel could not hold back the tears when her son was named the winner. "This is overwhelming and we are so proud of him.
"He absolutely deserves this accolade because he is a hard worker and loves his studies," the Ressouws said. "He is addicted to knowledge and does not like not knowing anything."
In a video clip shot during the judging interviews, in which he was asked how he would feel if he won, Lyle said he would be honoured.
"It would make my parents very proud. I hope to serve as a great role model." Lyle will be studying actuarial science at Stellenbosch University through a bursary from insurance giant Old Mutual, which he received as one of 20 pupils selected from 900 nominations from around the country.
The NMMU bursary that the overall winner gets will be transferred to Daniella, who came a close second to Lyle.
Scholarship award winner Maudene cried when she realised she would be able to study towards her dream career in economics accounting.
"I feel so blessed and highly favoured. I did not expect this and I'm so happy," she said.
"Were it not for this competition and winning the scholarship, I would have probably gone into teaching through the [Basic Education Department's] Funza Lushaka bursary or applied for a study loan. I will not disappoint and will keep up the hard work."
The 20 finalists, who all boast outstanding achievements in class, on the sports field and in community leadership, made it tough for the judges to choose the province's top matric pupil.
Guest speaker Rhodes University lecturer Thina Maqubela was impressed with the calibre of the finalists. "I looked at the profiles and thought 'Wow, this is what South Africa needs'," she said.
Maqubela encouraged pupils, when making their study and career choices, to combine their passions and excel.
"When looking at what you want to do, look at what you love and what you can do, and marry the two," she said. - Zandile Mbabela
