Kristen De Wet’s relentless pursuit of excellence has earned her a spot among the top achievers at Menlopark High School in Pretoria.
Kristen describes her matric journey as a rollercoaster ride, filled with unforgettable highs and challenging lows.
“My matric year was full of extraordinary highs and some disappointing lows. Throughout the year I worked hard dreading the big Final exams but when they finally arrived it was nothing we could not handle. The highs were achieving good marks in my trial exams, which gave me the confidence for the exams ahead and the unforgettable memories I made along the way. Some of the lows were the pressure of maintaining my achievements and balancing a full year filled with emotional lasts.”
The 18-year-old further said that she embraced every opportunity in her final year of high school. One of her biggest highlights was achieving top marks in Business Studies.
She achieved an impressive seven distinctions in the National Senior Certificate (NSC) exams.
Speaking about her future plans, she aspires to study International Business at Stellenbosch University.
“My aspirations are to study at Stellenbosch University and get my degree in International Business and to one day pursue a career that I am passionate about,” she said.
Kristen also aspires to travel, immerse herself in different cultures, and broaden her understanding of the world.
One key lesson she carried throughout her high school career, beginning in Grade 8 during the peak of COVID-19, was the importance of discipline.
“COVID-19 had a huge impact on our high school experience. It forced us to adjust quickly and taught us the importance of diligence. Starting high school during such an uncertain time was a big challenge, as everything we knew was thrown upside down. However, it also helped us to become disciplined, which helped us in later years. Despite the challenges, I still had an incredible high school experience and wouldn’t change a thing,” she said.
Her advice to the Class of 2025 is to cherish every moment while staying focused on their goals.
The Star