Spotswood College star cites hard work

CAMERON BURNELL/ Taranaki Daily News

BRIGHT SPARK: Spotswood College's Jessica Richardson-Land was highly commended in the Super Student category at the 2009 Young Achievers Awards.

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Very few of us can say we got 100 per cent on a secondary school exam.

But that's all part of the fun for Spotswood College's Jessica Richardson-Land, 15, highly commended at the 2009 Young Achievers Awards in the Super Student category.

The year 11 pupil earned 100 per cent on her NCEA Spanish mock exam in term three, which consists of listening, reading and writing components.

"In Spanish you've got to get the details [for a good mark]," she said.

"My teacher played a bit of a prank on me. I was sitting there and she goes `Jess, I can't believe you did this', and I sat there thinking `oh no, I've done a stupid mistake, I've done something wrong'.

"She says, `you got 100 per cent' and I said `what?' It was quite a cool moment really, I didn't stop smiling for about half an hour."

It was the first time in five years a Spotswood student had achieved that mark.

"It's a surreal feeling. I do strive to do my best, but when I do something really well it's a big achievement for me.

"Everyone's like `you're so brainy,' I said `well, I'm not brainy I just work hard'.

In NCEA this year, Jessica has already achieved more than 50 excellence credits, and is striving for 100 when she completes her exams.

Taking English, maths, drama, geography and science – it's science she wants to make her career.

"I want to be something ending in `ist', and I know that's very widely spoken but there's so many science areas that are so cool."

Otago University is a possibility with a double degree in science and teaching, or an overseas scholarship.

Teaching could be her strength given Jessica's demand from her classmates.

"Now with exams I'm supposed to be studying, but everyone is `aw Jess, can you help me?' and I'm always willing to go round to give them some pointers and help them out because I want my friends to do well too."

Jessica thanked her mum and aunty who are always there to support her.

A natural academic who gets a "buzz" from exam atmosphere, she said it was all about applying yourself.

"I just take things as they come, and take lessons as if there weren't any lessons afterwards. You've got to live in the moment and absorb as much stuff like a sponge."

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