Kaeden’s our college dux

Kaeden Cresswell celebrates being named dux with mum Gale and dad Jaron on Friday. Photo: Jeremy Smith

Kaeden Cresswell has been named the 2023 dux of Te Awamutu College.

The 18-year-old took the top spot with first in subject for chemistry, economics and business studies, earth and space science and
physics.

Kaeden also won the Matthewson Cup for excellence in sciences and took home the Ag Freeman medal – which came with a $3000 cash prize – for being named dux litterarum.

Topping it all off, he was also awarded a $30,000 University of Waikato Te Paewai o Te Rangi scholarship for outstanding academic achievement.

Kaeden told The News he wasn’t expecting to be named dux but was delighted.

His thrilled parents, dad Jaron and mum Gale, were beaming with excitement as they told The News how proud they were of their son’s efforts.

“It’s so special,” Gale, who added that Kaeden has been tutoring mathematics since he was 16, said.

Breanna Doig received the Mexted Cup for Proxime Accessit, runner up to dux, and topped Level 3 – or year 13 – biology and mathematics with calculus.

Breanna received a $1500 cash prize for being named Proxime Accessit, and was also awarded a $24,000 AUT Welcome to Auckland scholarship.

Additionally, she was given the General Excellence Cup for year 13, which takes into consideration academic, sporting and cultural contributions as well as participation and service.

On the sporting front, among other successes, Breanna was Te Awamutu College’s Waikato Secondary Schools swimming squad captain.

She received the Lambeth Trophy for being the senior girls’ swimming champion and the Henderson Trophy for best all round swimmer.

Her parents, Bruce and Jo-Anne, said it was amazing to see their daughter’s
dedication pay off.

Kaeden plans to head to Waikato University next year to complete a double major degree in earth science and mathematics.

“I’d love to become a meteorologist,” he smiled.

And, at AUT, Breanna will study a Bachelor of Health Science.

Johanna Downs received the Waipā District Council service to the community award. Johanna chaired the college’s 2023 Service Committee.

The school’s head students for 2024 were also announced during the prize giving.

They are Ruben Kasper, Ave Culpan, Xavier Scott and Sienna Sanders.